Joan of Arc
Middle AgesA Peasant Girl's Divine Mission
In 1428, a 16-year-old peasant girl from the small village of Domrémy claimed she had received visions from the Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine. This girl was Joan of Arc, and her visions carried an extraordinary message: she must drive the English out of France and see the Dauphin Charles crowned as king. At the time, France was in chaos. The Hundred Years' War had been raging for nearly a century, and the English controlled much of northern France, including Paris. The rightful heir to the French throne, Charles VII, remained uncrowned and seemed powerless to reclaim his kingdom. Joan's claim of divine intervention would have seemed absurd to most, but she possessed an unshakeable conviction that would soon change the course of history.
Convincing a Court and Transforming a War
Joan's journey from peasant to military leader began when she convinced local officials to give her an escort to meet the Dauphin at his court in Chinon. In March 1429, dressed as a man and having traveled hundreds of miles through enemy territory, Joan stood before Charles VII. What exactly transpired during their private meeting remains a mystery, but Charles emerged convinced of her divine mission. After theologians at the University of Poitiers examined her and found nothing heretical in her claims, Charles provided Joan with armor, a banner, and troops. The transformation was remarkable: this illiterate farm girl had become a military commander with the backing of the French court. Her white banner bore the names 'Jesus' and 'Mary' and became a powerful symbol of French resistance.
The Miracle at Orléans
Joan's first major test came at the siege of Orléans, where English forces had surrounded the strategic city for months. The city's fall would have opened the path to southern France for the English. Joan arrived at Orléans on April 29, 1429, and her presence immediately lifted French morale. She participated actively in the fighting, was wounded by an arrow, but returned to battle the same day. On May 8, 1429, nine days after Joan's arrival, the English lifted the siege and retreated. The victory at Orléans was seen as miraculous and earned Joan the nickname 'The Maid of Orléans.' News of the triumph spread throughout France, inspiring hope in a population that had known little but defeat. Joan had proven that the English could be beaten, and French resistance began to stiffen across the country.
Coronation and Capture
Following her success at Orléans, Joan led French forces in a series of victories that cleared the English from the Loire Valley. These triumphs opened the road to Reims, the traditional coronation city of French kings. On July 17, 1429, Joan stood beside Charles VII as he was crowned King of France in Reims Cathedral, fulfilling the first part of her divine mission. However, Joan's fortune was about to change dramatically. Charles, now crowned, became more cautious and preferred negotiation to continued warfare. Joan, driven by her visions, wanted to press the attack. In May 1430, during an assault on English-held Compiègne, Joan was captured by Burgundian allies of the English. The Burgundians sold her to the English for 10,000 livres, equivalent to a king's ransom. Remarkably, Charles VII made no serious attempt to rescue or ransom the woman who had secured his throne.
Trial, Martyrdom, and Legacy
Joan's trial opened in early 1431 in English-controlled Rouen. The English needed to discredit her victories by proving she was a heretic and witch, not a messenger of God. The trial was a sham from the start, with English-backed French clerics determined to find her guilty. Joan defended herself brilliantly despite having no legal training, often outwitting her educated accusers with her quick wit and unwavering faith. However, the outcome was predetermined. On May 30, 1431, at just 19 years old, Joan was burned at the stake in Rouen's market square. Her execution backfired spectacularly for the English – instead of discrediting her, it made her a martyr. French resistance intensified, and within 22 years, the English were expelled from all of France except Calais. In 1456, Joan was posthumously exonerated by the Church, and in 1920, she was canonized as a saint. The peasant girl who claimed to hear voices had become the patron saint of France.
Key Dates to Remember
- 1428 — Joan claims to receive divine visions telling her to crown the Dauphin and drive out the English
- March 1429 — Joan meets Charles VII at Chinon and convinces him of her mission
- May 8, 1429 — Joan lifts the siege of Orléans, her first major military victory
- July 17, 1429 — Charles VII is crowned King of France at Reims Cathedral with Joan present
- May 23, 1430 — Joan is captured by Burgundian allies of the English at Compiègne
- May 30, 1431 — Joan is burned at the stake in Rouen at age 19