ABSTRACT

An important yet little-known contribution to the Joan of Arc literature can be found in six rhymed stanzas (huitains) excised from the original Champion des dames by Martin Le Franc. They were discovered by Arthur Piaget, appended to the Brussels MS 9466, and published just over a hundred years ago. A priest as well as a poet, Martin Le Franc became provost of Lausanne cathedral in 1443 and maintained that office for eighteen years until his death. He was also secretary to the duke of Savoy, Amde VIII, later elected Pope Felix V by the Council of Basel. Le Franc's status and public roles made him particularly knowledgeable about the controversies surrounding Joan of Arc. The poet reminds his readers that it was through Joan's courage and suffering that the enemy was defeated and that they must unite in order to bring peace back tofrance and the Church.