The first was entitled "Liber concordiæ veritatis," or the book of the harmony of truth; the second," Apocalypsis Nova," or new revelation; and the third, "Psalterium decem Chordarum.” This account was taken from a MS. of that work in the library of the Sorbonne." It is necessary, we should observe, to distinguish this book from the "Introduction to the Everlasting Gospel," written by a friar named Gerhard, and published in 1250. Joachim died in 1202, leaving a number of followers, who were called Joachimites. His works have been published in Venice, 1516, folio, &c. and contain propositions which have been condemned by several councils. The part of his works most esteemed is his commentaries on Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Apocalypse. His life was written by a Dominican named Gervaise, and published in 1745, in 2 vols. 12mo.1 JOACHIM, GEORGE. See RHETICUS. JOAN (POPE), called by Platina John VIII. seems to require some notice in this work, although her history is involved in much doubt, and even her existence is thought by some uncertain. This subject has been treated with as much animosity on both sides, between the papists and the protestants, as if the whole of religion depended on it. There are reckoned upwards of sixty of the Romish communion, and among them several monks and canonized saints, by whom the story is related thus: About the middle of the ninth century, viz. between the pontificates of Leo IV. and Benedict III. * a woman, called Joan, was promoted to the pontificate, by the name of John; whom Platina, and almost all other historians, have reckoned as the VIIIth of that name, and others as the VIIth some call her only John. This female pope was born at Mentz, where she went by the name of English John+; whether because she was of English extraction, or for what other reason, is not known: some modern historians say she was called Agnes, that is, the chaste, by way of irony, perhaps, before her pontificate. She had from her infancy an extraordinary passion for learning and travelling, and in order to satisfy this inclination, put on the * See Moreri. N. B. Blondel, Desmaretz, and Bayle, are the chief of those who absolutely denied it. Spanheim, L'Enfant des Vignelles, among those who have affirmed it. + Her true name was Gilberta, and it is said she took the name of English, or Anglus, from Anglus, a monk of the abbey of Fulda, whom she loved, and who was her instructor, and travelled with her. Crespin's L'etat de l'English. 1 Mosheim.--Caye, vol. II.-Dupin.—Moreri, male habit, and went to Athens, in company with one of her friends, who was called her favourite lover. From Athens she went to Rome, where she taught divinity; and, in the garb of a doctor, acquired so great reputation for understanding, learning, and probity, that she was unanimously elected pope in the room of Leo IV. To this story several modern historians add many particulars of a more delicate nature, and assert that she formed an improper connexion with the friend to whose assistance she owed her advancement in learning. This commerce, however, might have remained a secret, had not Joan, mistaken without doubt in her reckoning, ventured to go to a procession, where she had the misfortune to be brought to bed in the middle of the street, between the Colosseum and the church of St. Clement; and it is added that she died there in labour, after having held the pontifical see about two years. Such is the story, as related in the history of the popes, which was certainly received and avowed as a truth for some centuries. Since it became a matter of dispute, some writers of the Romish church have denied it; some have apologized for it absurdly enough; others in a way that might be admitted, did not that church claim to be infallible for it was that claim which first brought the truth of this history under examination. The protestants alleged it as a clear proof against the claim; since it could not be denied that in this instance the church was deceived by a woman in disguise. This induced the Roman catholics to search more narrowly than before into the affair; and the result of that inquiry was, first a doubt, and next an improbability, of Joan's real existence. This led to a further inquiry into the origin of the story; whence it appeared, that there were no footsteps of its being known in the church for near 200 years after it was said to have happened *. Eneas Sylvius, who was pope in the fifteenth century under the name of Pius II. was the first who called it in question, and he touched it but slightly, observing, that in the election of that woman there was no error in a matter of faith, but only an ignorance as to a matter of fact; and also that the story was not certain. Yet this very Sylvius suffered Joan's name to be placed * Marianus is the first who mentions it, and he lived 200 years after. Blondel's Eclaircissem, de la question: Si une femme a este assise au siege papal, p. 17. among those of the other popes in the register of Siena, and transcribed the story in his historical work printed at Nuremburg in 1493. The example of Sylvius emboldened others to search more freely into the matter, who, finding it to have no good foundation, thought proper to give it up. But the protestants thought themselves the more obliged to labour in support of it, as an indelible blot and reproach upon their adversaries; and to aggravate the matter, several circumstances were mentioned with the view of exposing the credulity and weakness of that church, which, it was maintained, had authorized them. In this spirit it was observed, that Joan, being installed in her office, admitted others into orders, after the manner of other popes; made priests and deacons, ordained bishops and abbots, sung mass, consecrated churches and altars, administered the sacraments, presented her feet to be kissed, and performed all other actions which the popes of Rome are wont to do, with other particulars not now worth reciting, as the best informed historians seem to give the whole up as a fable.' JOAN of ARC, commonly called the Maid of Orleans, one of the most remarkable heroines in history, was the daughter of James d'Arc, and of Isabella Romé his wife, two persons of low rank, in the village of Domremi, near Vaucouleurs, on the borders of Lorraine, where she was born in 1402. The instructions she received during her childhood and youth were suited to her humble condition. She quitted her parents at an early age, as they were ill able to maintain her, and engaged herself as a servant at a small inn. In this situation she employed herself in attending the horses of the guests, and in riding them to the watering-place, and by these exercises she acquired a robust and hardy frame. At this time the affairs of France were in a desperate condition, and the city of Orleans, the most important place in the kingdom, was besieged by the English regent, the duke of Bedford, as a step to prepare the way for the conquest of all France. The French king used every expedient to supply the city with a garrison and provisions; and the English left no method unemployed for reducing it. The eyes of all Europe were 1 Gen. Dict.-Platina de vitis Pontificum.-Bower's Hist. of the Popes.Mosheim's Ch. Hist. turned towards this scene of action, and after numberless feats of valour on both sides, the attack was so vigorously pushed by the English, that the king (Charles VII.) gave up the city as lost, when relief was brought from a very unexpected quarter. Joan, influenced by the frequent accounts of the rencounters at this memorable siege, and affected with the distresses of her country and king, was seized with a wild desire of relieving him; and as her inexperienced mind worked day and night on this favourite object, she fancied she saw visions, and heard voices, exhorting her to re-establish the throne of France, and expel the English invaders. Enthusiastic in these notions, she went to Vaucouleurs, and informed Baudricourt, the governor, of her inspirations and intentions, who sent her to the French court, then at Chinon. Here, on being introduced to the king, she offered, in the name of the Supreme Being, to raise the siege of Orleans, and conduct his majesty to Rheims, to be there crowned and anointed; and she demanded, as the instrument of her future victories, a particular sword which was kept in the church of St. Catherine de Fierbois. The king and his ministers at first either hesitated or pretended to hesitate; but after an assembly of grave and learned divines had pronounced her mission to be real and supernatural, her request was granted, and she was exhibited to the whole people, on horseback in military habiliments. On this sight, her dexterity in managing her steed, though acquired in her former station, was regarded as a fresh proof of her mission; her former occupation was even denied; she was converted into a shepherdess, an employment more agreeable to the fancy. Some years were subtracted from her age, in order to excite still more admiration; and she was received with the loudest acclamations, by persons of all ranks. The English at first affected to speak with derision of the maid and her heavenly mission; but were secretly struck with the strong persuasion which prevailed in all around them. They found their courage daunted by degrees, and thence began to infer a divine vengeance hanging over them. A silent astonishment reigned among those troops formerly so elated with victory, and so fierce for the combat. The maid entered the city of Orleans at the head of a convoy, arrayed in her military garb, and displaying her consecrated standard. She was received as a celestial . deliverer by the garrison and its inhabitants; and with the instructions of count Dunois, commonly called the Bastard of Orleans, who commanded in that place, she actually obliged the English to raise the siege of that city, after driving them from their entrenchments, and defeating them in several desperate attacks. Raising the siege of Orleans was one part of the maid's promise to Charles; crowning him at Rheims was the other; and she now vehemently insisted that he should set out immediately on that journey. A few weeks before, such a proposal would have appeared altogether extravagant. Rheims lay in a distant quarter of the kingdom; was then in the hands of a victorious enemy; the whole road that led to it was occupied by their garrisons; and no imagination could have been so sanguine as to hope. that such an attempt could possibly be carried into execution. But, as it was the interest of the king of France to maintain the belief of something extraordinary and divine in these events, he resolved to comply with her exhortations, and avail himself of the present consternation of the English. He accordingly set out for Rheims, at the head of 12,000 men, and scarcely perceived as he passed along, that he was marching through an enemy's country. Every place opened its gates to him; Rheims sent him its keys, and the ceremony of his inauguration was performed with the holy oil, which a pigeon is said to have brought from heaven to Clovis, on the first establishment of the French monarchy. As a mark of his gratitude, Charles had a medal struck in her honour. On one side was her portrait, on the other a hand holding a sword with these words, Consilio confirmata Dei. "Sustained by the assistance of God." The king also ennobled all her family, as well in the male as in the female line; the former became extinct in 1760. In 1614 the latter, at the request of the procurator-general, were deprived of their privilege of ennobling their children, independent of their husband. The town of Domremi, also, where she was born, was exempted from all taxes, aids, and subsidies for ever. The Maid of Orleans, as she is called, declared after this coronation, that her mission was now accomplished; and expressed her inclination to retire to the occupations and course of life which became her sex. But Dunois, sensible of the great advantages which might still be reaped |