HACHETTE

hachette, jeanne, french heroine. jeanne laine, or fourquet, called jeanne hachette, was born about 1454. we have no precise information about her family or origin. she is known solely for her act of heroism which on the 27th of june 1472 saved beauvais when it was on the point of being taken by the troops of charles the bold, duke of burgundy. the town was defended by only 300 men-at-arms, commanded by louis de balagny. the burgundians were making an assault, and one of their number had actually planted a flag upon the battlements, when jeanne, axe in hand, flung herself upon him, hurled him into the moat, tore down the flag, and revived the drooping courage of the garrison. in gratitude for this heroic deed, louis xi. instituted a procession in beauvais called the procession of the assault, and married jeanne to her chosen lover colin pilon, loading them with favours. see georges vallat, _jeanne hachette_ (abbeville, 1898).