Joan of Arc

(Jeanne d' Arc)

1412–1431

Joan of Arc is the patron saint of France, soldiers, prisoners, and women. She was extremely influential during the Hundred Years’ War, effectively leading the French to victory by inspiring the troops with a hope that they had not felt for many years. She assisted in bringing about the coronation of Charles VII as the French king, and she is one of history’s greatest female war heroes.

Joan of Arc
JOAN OF ARC
Joan was born in the midst of the Hundred Years War, which had begun 75 years ago. At the time of her birth, France had already been forced to cede a large portion of territory to the British, with little hope of recompense. When she was only twelve years old, St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret appeared to her in a vision, beseeching her to drive the English from France and bring Charles VII to Reims to be crowned king. She immediately set out for the French Court, where, after correctly predicting an unexpected French loss in the currently waging Battle of the Herrings, she was admitted entrance. During a private conference, she greatly impressed Charles VII, and she was permitted to ride with the troops to boost their morale. While the extent of her influence during the first battles in unknown, she gained much notoriety when, against the decision of her commander, she led an assault on the main English stronghold, winning back French territory. Led by her visions of the saints, she aggressively vanquished every city that the French army encountered on their journey to Reims. Only a day after reaching the city, Charles was crowned king of France. Joan’s first mission was accomplished.

After participating in several minor battles, Joan was captured during a Burgundian siege and held prisoner. Her family had no money to ransom her, and, after several failed escape attempts, she was sold to the British and put on trial for heresy. Despite her amazing eloquence during the trial, she was deemed guilty and burned at the stake. She was beatified in 1909 and canonized eleven years later. She is a well-known saint in the Catholic Church and still holds great importance in French history.


Key events during the life of Joan of Arc:


Year
Event
1337
Start of Hundred Years' War
1412
Born in Domremy, France
1424
Experienced her first of many visions of the saints
1429
Led an assault on the main English stronghold, won the battle for France
1429
Charles VII was coronated at Reims
1430
Captured by Burgundian troops, later purchased by the English
1431
Put on trial for heresy to undermine King Charles
1431
Died by being burned at the stake
1909
Beatified
1920
Canonized by Pope Benedict XV

Other Resources


Story Links
Book Links
English in France  in  Stories From English History, Part Second  by  Alfred J. Church
Jeanne D'Arc, the Maid of Orleans  in  Stories from French History  by  Lena Dalkeith
The Story of Joan of Arc  in  Old Time Tales  by  Lawton B. Evans
House of Valois (cont 2)  in  France: Peeps at History  by  John Finnemore
Joan to the Rescue  in  The Story of Old France  by  H. A. Guerber
Joan of Arc  in  Famous Men of the Middle Ages  by  John H. Haaren
St Jeanne D'Arc  in  Stories of the Saints  by  Grace Hall
Lancastrian Kings, & Close of the Hundred Years' War in  The Story of England  by  Samuel B. Harding
Joan of Arc and the Close of the War  in  The Story of the Middle Ages  by  Samuel B. Harding
Joan of Arc  in  Patriots and Tyrants  by  Marion Florence Lansing
Joan Sees the Dauphin  in  The Story of France  by  Mary Macgregor
Henry VI of Windsor—The Maid of Orleans  in  Our Island Story  by  H. E. Marshall
France: Reign of Louis XI  in  The Story of Europe  by  Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall
Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans  in  Historical Tales: French  by  Charles Morris
Maid of Orleans  in  The Discovery of New Worlds  by  M. B. Synge
Joan of Arc, the Girl Commander  in  European Hero Stories  by  Eva March Tappan

Book Links
Story of Joan of Arc  by  Andrew Lang


Image Links


She saw an angel's face appearing through the wonder-shine.
 in Stories from French History

In the market-place at Rouen they burned her to death at the stake.
 in Stories from French History

The maid of Orleans
 in France: Peeps at History

Raising the Siege of Orleans
 in France: Peeps at History

Joan's Vision
 in The Story of Old France

Joan entering Orleans
 in The Story of Old France

Joan's Martyrdom
 in The Story of Old France

Joan's vision
 in Famous Men of the Middle Ages

The capture of Orleans by Joan of Arc
 in Famous Men of the Middle Ages

The coronation of Charles VII at Rheims
 in Famous Men of the Middle Ages

Joan of Arc bound to the stake
 in Famous Men of the Middle Ages

Joan of Arc listening to the voices
 in The Story of the Middle Ages

Joan at the crowning of the French king
 in The Story of the Middle Ages

Joan hanging garlands on the fairy oak
 in The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan kneeling to the King at Chinon
 in The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan riding into Orleans under torchlight
 in The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan fallen wounded under the walls of Paris
 in The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan taken at Compiegne
 in The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan on the roof-leads of Beaurevoir Castle
 in The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan facing her Judges
 in The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan Entering Orleans
 in Patriots and Tyrants

Enter, then, for the city is yours,' cried the maid
 in The Story of France

Joan of Arc at Orleans
 in Historical Tales: French

Joan of arc
 in The Discovery of New Worlds

Joan of Arc Entering Orleans in Triumph
 in European Hero Stories

Statue of Joan of Arc
 in European Hero Stories


Contemporary
Short Biography
Charles VII King of France during Hundred Years' War, led France to eventual victory against British
Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy who fought France in the Burgundian Wars. At his death his domains passed to the Hapsburgs.
Colette of Corbie French Abbess and founder of the Poor Clares.