Joan of Arc, in French, Jeanne d’Arc, also called the Maid of Orleans, a patron saint of France and a national heroine, led the resistance to the English invasion of France in the Hundred Years War [1].
Early Life
When Joan was approximately 12 years old, she began hearing the “voices” of multiple Saints believing them to have been sent by God. St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret told Joan that it was her duty to free her country (France) from the English and help the dauphin gain the French throne. The “voices” told her to cut her hair, dress in a mans attire, and to wield arms. [2]
By 1429 the English with the help of their Burgundian allies occupied Paris and all of France north of the Loire. The resistance was minimal due to lack of leadership and a sense of hopelessness [3]. Henry VI of England was claiming the French throne [4].
Joan managed to convince the captain of the dauphin’s forces, and the dauphin himself of her divine calling. After passing an examination by a board of theologians, she was granted the rank of captain and a set of troops to command. At the battle of Orleans in May 1429, Joan led the troops to a miraculous victory over the English [5]. She continued fighting the enemy in other locations along the Loire. Fear of troops under her leadership was so formidable that when she approached Lord Talbot’s army at Patay, most of the English troops and Commander Sir John Fastolfe fled the battlefield [6]. After a tiresome war Charles VII was crowned king of France on July 17, 1429 in Reims Cathedral [7]. Joan was granted a place of honor next to the king at the coronation for her bravery and service [8].
Capture and Trial
On May 24, 1430, Joan was taken prisoner by Burgundian forces while leading a courageous rearguard action and was sold to the English. [9] Due to Joan’s male dress, claims to divine guidance, and unorthodox behavior, had contributed to suspicions of heresy and sorcery [10]. Much was made of her insistence on wearing male clothing as she was told that for a woman to wear men’s clothing was a crime against God [11]. Her fate was ultimately sealed due to her determination to continue wearing it (because her voices hadn’t yet told her to change, as well as for protection from sexual abuse by her jailors) [12]. Joan was convicted after a fourteen-month interrogation and on May 30, 1431 she was burned at the stake in the Rouen marketplace [13].
[1] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[2] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[3] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[4] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[5] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[6] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[7] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[8] Strayer, Joseph R. 1982. Dictionary of the Middle Ages. New York: Scribner.
[9] Strayer, Joseph R. 1982. Dictionary of the Middle Ages. New York: Scribner.
[10] Strayer, Joseph R. 1982. Dictionary of the Middle Ages. New York: Scribner.
[11] Strayer, Joseph R. 1982. Dictionary of the Middle Ages. New York: Scribner.
[12] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
[13] Bois, Danuta. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/joanarc.html.
Middle Riddles 