Scott Alexander (author/host)

End quote.

Which gets some notable parts of the story wrong, but if the heart of it is accurate, it would be a sign that, consciously or unconsciously, could be delivered through the wholly non-miraculous skill of cold reading.

Back to the text.

But whatever it was, it clearly rattled the Dauphin.

He was sure she had access to some kind of magic, he just couldn't tell if it was white or black.

Just as Robert de Baudricourt had ordered an exorcism, so the Dauphin Charles called for an examination and sent for the doctors of theology at the University of Poitiers to interview her, so that they could tell him if it was ethical to recruit her.

Unfortunately, the record of the examination at Poitiers doesn't exist anymore.

It definitely existed then.

Joan repeatedly tells her interrogators at the first trial, that's in the book at Poitiers, and one of her examiners survived to testify at the second, posthumous trial, but unfortunately most medieval manuscripts don't exist anymore, and this is one of them.

It would be an invaluable source if we had it, but all we've got left is what one elderly Dominican remembered at the second trial.

One fragment is, quote,

Master Guillaume Aymeri interrogated her.

Thou hast said that the voice told thee that God wishes to deliver the people of France from the calamities which afflict it.

If he wishes to deliver it, it is not necessary to have men-at-arms.

Then Joan answered him, By God the men-at-arms will do battle, and God will give us victory.

With this answer, Master Guillaume held himself satisfied.

End quote.

And we have their final conclusion, which was, quote,

Well, fair enough.

And the elderly Dominican continues, quote,