midnight of June
For this was that great week of wonders which shall never be forgotten while France is France , and the lilies bloom . On June the thirteenth the Maid took Jargeau , whence the famed Bastard of Orleans had been driven some weeks agone ; and the Earl of Suffolk yielded him her prisoner , saying that she was `` the most valiant woman in the world . '' Scarce had tidings of this great victory come , when messengers followed , declaring that the Maid had seized the Bridge of Meun and driven the English into the Castle . Next she marched against Beaugency , and , at midnight of June the seventeenth , the English made terms , that they might go forth with their lives , but without baggage or arms , and with but one mark of silver apiece . Next morning came Talbot , the best knight then on ground , and Fastolf , the wariest of captains , with a great army of English . First they made for Jargeau , but they came too late , and then they rode to Meun , and would have assailed the French in the bridge-fort , but , even then , they heard how Beaugency had yielded to La Pucelle , and how the garrison was departed into Normandy , like pilgrims , without swords , and staff in hand . Thus all the Loire and the water-way was in the power of France , wherefore the English marched off through the country called La Beauce , which then lay desert and overgrown with wild wood , by reason of the war .