Scott Alexander (author/host)

Dunois explained very patiently that, yes, the city's captains had taken counsel together and they had concluded that given that the wind was blowing in the wrong direction, the most sensible option was to avoid the risk of fighting the English, and they thought that was best and safest.

In God's name, the counsel of your lord is wiser and safer than yours, said Joan.

Quote, forthwith, and as in the same moment, the wind, which was contrary and absolutely prevented the boats from moving upstream, in which were laid in the victuals for Orleans, changed and became favourable.

Footnote.

Joan continues, "...you thought to deceive me, and it is yourself above all whom you deceive, for I bring you better succour than has reached you from any soldier or any city.

It is succour from the King of Heaven.

It comes not from love of me, but from God himself, who, at the request of St.

Louis and St.

Charlemagne, has taken pity on the town of Orleans, and will not suffer that the enemies have bodies of the Lord of Orleans and his town."

End quote.

Which is when the wind changes direction.

Keeping score, first principle theories of how a rational religion ought to work, zero.

The intercession of the saints, one.

Back to the text.

So, after the wind directly and miraculously reversed, Joan and her troops were able to enter the city.

They held a parade.

We have a journal from one of the burghers of Orléans, which is a useful eyewitness source separate from the two trials.

Joan went out under flag of truce to demand that the English surrender to God, and God laughed at...

and called an Armagnac whore, and Dunois left to fetch even more reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Joan, stuck with Dunois nominally in charge and people unwilling to go attack in defiance of the commander-in-chief's orders, was firing up her troops.