The exactness with which its prognostications had been fulfilled down to 1135 was marvelled at, and an attempt was made to interpret the prophecies relating to subsequent times." Gaston Paris, _La litterature francaise au moyen age_, 1890, pp.

86-104.] In the prophecies of this Wise Man the English believed no less firmly than the French.

When Arthur of Brittany, Count of Richemont, was taken prisoner, held to ransom, and brought before King Henry, the latter, when he perceived a boar on the arms of the Duke, broke forth into rejoicing; for he called to mind the words of Merlin who had said, "A Prince of Armorica, called Arthur, with a boar for his crest, shall conquer England, and when he shall have made an end of the English folk he shall re-people the land with a Breton race."[692] [Footnote 692: Le Baud, _Histoire de Bretagne_, Paris, 1638, in fol., p.

451.] Now during the Lent of 1429 there was circulated among the Armagnacs this prophecy, taken from a book of the prophecies of Merlin: "From the town of the Bois-Chenu there shall come forth a maid for the healing of the nation.

When she hath stormed every citadel, with her breath she shall dry up all the springs.