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THE FURNIVALS. 171
Thomas de Furnival, jun., had two sons, Thomas and William, who
succeeded as third and fourth barons. The latter died 1383, leaving one
only daughter, Joan, who married Thomas Nevill, brother of Ralph, first
Earl of Westmoreland, who was summoned to Parliament 7th Richard II.,
1383, as "Lord Furnival." He died 1406, leaving one surviving daughter,
Maud, who married, 1408, Sir John Talbot, second son of Lord Talbot, a
great general under Henry V., with whom he acquired a splendid reputation.
In the following reign, however, he was attacked by Joan of Arc,
"the Maid of Orleans," near Patay, in 1429, when his army was entirely
routed and he taken prisoner. After four years he was ransomed, and,
again distinguishing himself, was created (1443) Earl of Shrewsbury and
Earl of Waterford. He was also made Lord Chancellor, and eventually
Lieutenant of the Duchy of Aquitaine. He captured the city of Bordeaux,
and from thence proceeded to the relief of Chastillon, where he was slain
(fighting, sword in hand) by a cannon ball, 2oth July, 1453, in the eightieth
year of his age.
His remains were brought to England and interred at Whitchurch,
in Shropshire. The church was burned down and rebuilt in the days of
Queen Anne, but in the wall of the new church was placed a tablet, stating
that his remains had been deposited there. Within the last few years the
church has been " restored," when the wall was opened, and from it
a small box, about three feet long (something like a gun-case),
taken
in which
were found the bones of the great captain carefully and methodically
packed. His body had evidently been dismembered for facility of carriage
in those days of difficult travelling. I need scarcely say that they were
reverently and carefully replaced, and rest once again within the wall, with
the ancient inscription to mark the spot
:
"Orate pro anima praenobilis domini, domini Johannis Talbot, quondam Comitice
" Salopiae, Domini Furnival, Domini Verdon, Domini Strange de Blackmere, et Marescell'
" Franciae, qui obiit in bello apud Burdenos vii. Julii.
MCCCCLIII."
Shakespeare (Henry VI., part i. act iii. scene iv.), as usual historically
inaccurate, represents Lord Talbot as having been created Earl of Shrewsbury
before he was taken by Joan of Arc. The address, however, of the
young King seems appropriate to this warrior's acknowledged reputation :
"Welcome, brave Captain and victorious Lord!
When I was young (as yet I am not old),
I do remember how my father said
A stouter champion never handled sword.
Long since we were resolved of your truth,
Your faithful service, and your
toil in war:
Yet never have you tasted our reward,
Or been reguerdon'd with so much as thanks,
Because (till now) we never saw your face.
Therefore, stand up and for these good deserts,
We : here create you Earl of Shrewsbury :
And in our coronation take your place."