After the city of Orléans had been relieved of its siege, Joan felt compelled to fulfill her next prophecy: to lead the king to Reims for his coronation. She knew from her visions that she did not have much time to complete her mission, and she had to seize the moment. The English were weakened, while the French soldiers were encouraged.
The Count of Dunois reports:
After the liberation of Orléans, we—the Maid, myself, and others—went together to the king, who was at the castle of Loches, to request new troops from him for the recapture of the fortresses and towns along the Loire, especially Meung, Beaugency, and Jargeau, so that he might operate more safely and undisturbed in the future all the way to Reims for his coronation. Joan implored the king, urging him tirelessly to act quickly and warning him against hesitation. From that moment on, the king acted with all possible haste and dispatched the Duke of Alençon, other military commanders, and me—together with Joan—to capture those towns and castles. And indeed, they were once again brought under the king’s rule—through Joan’s help, I believe.
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