Joan of Arc and military prudence

Another anonymous clerical writer uses arguments from her military performance, and of those following her, to support the miraculous nature of her victory (1429).

The following circumstances may be added in favor of our cause.

Firstly that the Council of the King and the men at arms could have been led to believe in the voice of this Pucelle in such a manner, and to obey her in such a way that, under her command and with one heart, they exposed themselves to the dangers of war, ignoring all fear of dishonor. What could have happened if, fighting under a young woman, they had been vanquished by such audacious enemies and they had been derided by all who heard of this?

…

Let us consider at the end the fact that this Pucelle and her military followers do not dismiss the path of human prudence; they act according to what is in them, so that it appears that they did not tempt God more than is necessary. From this it follows that this Pucelle is not obstinate in her adhesion to her leadership and also that she does not go beyond the instructions and inspirations that she attributes to God.

Taylor, ed. Joan of Arc: La Pucelle, pages 80-1.