Who Was Joan of Arc?
Joan of Arc was a French peasant who is now known as a national heroine and saint. Born in 1412 in the village of Domremy, France, she was a devout Catholic. At only 17, Joan led her army in a decisive victory in Orleans repelling the English’s attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years’ War. Joan believed this was her mission from God. However a year later, Joan was captured and burnt at the stake as a heretic.
Her Mission
At the time of Joan of Arc, there was a civil war in France between the North, (Burgundians), and South, (Armagnacs). The English took advantage of this disruption and allied with the Burgundians to invade and conquer France.
When Joan was 13, she began to hear the voices of angels. At 17, the voices gave her a mission to save France by expelling the English and restoring Charles, the Dauphin, as rightful King. Joan journeyed to the Prince’s palace in Chinon with cut hair and wearing boys clothes. This became her trademark. In February 1429 Joan introduced herself to Charles as Joan the Maid, sent by God. She requested to lead an army to free Orleans and promised to ensure Charles would be King. After various examinations and tests, Charles, who needed a miracle, agreed. Joan arrived in Orleans, and was welcomed by those under siege as an angel. She defeated the English in battle and liberated Orleans after only four days. This indicated that she had been sent from God. Joan’s victories continued and as promised, she led Charles to the city of Reims for his coronation as a King of France. |
Her Capture and Death
At the battle of Compiegne, the Burgundians captured Joan, imprisoned her and handed her to the English. She was put on trial to publically demonstrate that she was a heretic. Joan was interrogated and forced to give details about the angels who spoke to her, but this was used against her. At 19 she was burned at the stake, a public execution, in the marketplace of Rouen. Her final word was ‘Jesus’ which she called when the fire was lit. After her death there was a retrial where she was found to be innocent and in the early 20th Century she was canonised as a saint.
Time to Vote
Now you know the facts, so its time for you to decide. Was Joan of Arc a heretic, influenced by the Devil, speaking against the Church. Or, was she a heroine, a great leader of a victorious and patriotic army? Or, was Joan of Arc just an ordinary but troubled, confused and delirious teenage girl who didn't really know what she was doing?
Did You Know?
- At 17, Joan was the youngest person ever to lead an army
- Joan could have saved herself from being burnt at the stake if she changed back into female clothes and confessed that she had been lying about the angels
- The phrase ‘the devils in the detail’ comes from Joan’s interrogation where she gave details about the angels that she had seen.
- Joan had many names for herself:
- - Joan of Arc
- - Jeanne d’Arc
- - Joan the Maid
- - The Maid of Orleans
- - Joan the Virgin
- Even though Joan had helped King Charles to reclaim the throne, he did nothing to help her once she was captured
- Joan was wounded in the battle of Orleans by an arrow but continued to fight
- Joan predicted that she would be wounded in the battle of Orleans and knew that something bad would happen at the city of Compiegne, where she was captured
External Links
Want to learn even more about Joan of Arc? Click here to listen to a fascinating and engaging podcast from Helen Castor, a medieval historian.
Here's a cool song about Joan of Arc. Check it out!