ices later as St. Michael, St. Catherine. St. Margaret, and others. However, Joan was ever so reluctant to speak of her voices to anyone. She gradually learned that she was chosen by God to unite France and to give aid to Dauphin Charles, who she believed was to be King of France. She waited until she was about sixteen to act upon her voices because she had been too scared and meek at age fourteen to do anything about them any earlier. However, they had started to become so urgent and strong at this time that she went and presented herself to Robert Baudricourt, who commanded for Charles VII in the neighboring town of Vaucouleurs. Baudricourt was a ruthless soldier and simply dismissed her, saying to Joans cousin Take her home to her father and give her a good whipping. However she did not leave the town and was very persistent with Baudricourt. Baudricourt noticed her persistency and it gradually made an impression on him. After she predicted the defeat of the French army outside of Orleans, her cause began to gain ground. She finally went to see the king with three escorts. She dressed in mans clothing, probably to protect her modesty in the rough terrain of the military camp, and on March 6 she reached Chinon. Two days later she was admitted to see the King Charles VII. To test her, he disguised himself in the crowd as a regular person, but she saluted him immediately. The king had her sent to be examined by doctors and bishops, they found nothing wrong with her or heretic about her speech. She then returned to Chinon where Charles VII gave her a sword, which she refused and asked for the one that she said was buried behind the altar in the chapel of Ste-Catherine-de-Fierbois. Charles VII did what she asked and sent people to look for this sword; it was found in the very spot she had indicated. She was then ready for war however; Joan told Sire de Rotslaer that she would save Orleans. She told him how she would be wo...
