SAINT JOAN Scene 2

It is 8 March 1429, late in the afternoon. In a curtained-off section of the throne room in the castle of Chinon, in Lorraine, the Archbishop of Rheims and Monseigneur de la Tremouille, the Lord Chamberlain, await the arrival of the Dauphin. The archbishop’s composure contrasts with the brooding impatience of Tremouille. They have divergent attitudes, but both men are owed money by the Dauphin, and are mystified that he has spent so much with so little to show for it.

A page announces the arrival of Gille de Rais, known as Bluebeard on account of his small beard, curled and dyed. Bluebeard brings news of Foul Mouthed Frank, an inveterate swearer, who was warned by a soldier to desist from cursing as his death was imminent. Soon afterwards he fell into a well and drowned. Captain La Hire, a hardened fighter, enters. He also is renowned for swearing, and, as Bluebeard has intimated, he is now fraught with anxiety. La Hire asserts that the soldier who delivered the warning was actually an angel in disguise.

The Dauphin, the uncrowned King Charles VII, enters. He is physically a pitiful figure, but he reveals some strength of character, including a sense of humour. He is evidently at odds with both the archbishop and the chamberlain, who show him no respect. He bears the note of introduction written for Joan by de Baudricourt. The archbishop is intensely skeptical, and declares that Charles should not see the ‘cracked country lass’. But the Dauphin is insistent that she is ‘a saint: an angel’ (pg 67). He is especially eager to receive her as visitations from saints have been a family tradition. La Hire interjects that the Maid, dressed as a soldier, is the angel that brought death to Foul Mouthed Frank. The archbishop assumes the voice of common sense, attributing the drowning to accident and the fulfillment of the prophecy to coincidence.

Discussion shifts to Joan’s promise to lift the siege of Orleans, a feat that Jack Dunois has not yet managed to accomplish, despite his military reputation. It is eventually agreed that Joan should be admitted to the Court, and a simple test is planned; de Rais will pretend to be the Dauphin, and they will see whether Joan is fooled. The archbishop points out that common knowledge will enable her to make the distinction. Still, the test is staged in the main throne room. Bluebeard clerly relishes his role. Joan enters, dressed as a soldier, with bobbed hair. She sees through the pretence straight away, and in high spirits she draws the Dauphin from the assembled crowd, and announces her mission to see him crowned at Rheims.

Accordingly, her wish to speak in private with the Dauphin should be respected. There ensues a dialogue between Joan and Charles, in which she tells him he must learn to behave like a king, and must fight the English. Riddled with self-doubt, he nonetheless pledges to fight and to become king. The court is summoned to return, and Charles announces that Joan now commands the army. La Tremouille reacts with hostility, but, supported by Joan, and through a great effort of will, the Dauphin dismisses him with a snap of his fingers. The knights of the Court rally to her and Joan falls to her knees to offer thanks to God. The others also kneel, as the archbishop gives a blessing, La Tremouille collapses, cursing.

Taken from York Notes on "Saint Joan" by George Bernard Shaw.