On this Day in 1412…Joan of Arc by Donna Schlachter

From Wikipedia

We all love heroes and heroines. And history—hence the name of our blog. One definition of a hero or heroine is “the one running toward danger when everybody else is running away”. I’m sure most of us would like to think we would be heroic if needs be—but today we’ll look at a young woman who refused to let political correctness hold her back.

Way back in 1412, a little girl was born who would change the world. The small village, Domrémy, is in the northeast part of France. While her actual birthdate is unknown, we do know a little of her family. Her father, Jacques d’Arc, was a peasant farmer who owned about 50 acres of land, and he supplemented his income by collecting taxes and leading the local neighborhood watch team as a village official. Her mother, Isabelle Romée, kept house and had three sons and another daughter.

From Wikipedia

 

The Hundred Years’ War between England and France began about 75 years before Joan’s birth, and the country was decimated by this point from the fighting, the looting, and the downfall of the economy. The current king of France, Charles VI, was mentally unstable, leaving his brother and cousin to argue over who was rightful heir to the throne. Political assassinations were common, further destabilizing the politics and the economy, and the country was divided politically, further endangering the country’s stability.

Henry V of England took advantage of these internal divisions and invaded in 1415, when Joan was about three years old. Control of the country see-sawed for a number of years, and French peerage allied with England, with France, or opted to create their own independent country in turns.

In her younger years, Joan was an ordinary child. She did chores, spun wool, helped her father in the fields, and looked after their animals. As was common, her mother provided her religious education. The area they lived in was politically unstable, with friends and family alike declaring allegiance to one side or the other.

When Joan was 13, in 1425, their village was attacked and cattle were stolen. Villagers believed the English were responsible, and that these invaders must be expelled if France were to achieve peace. Joan’s first vision came after this raid, one where Saint Michael appeared to her.

Several prophesies circulated during Joan’s youth that suggested that an armed virgin would be the saving of France, and Joan believed she was this woman. When she was 16, she petitioned a garrison commander for an armed escort, but he roughly denied her and sent her home. Later that year, the town was again attacked. When she returned to ask for an escort, she was again denied, but had gained the favor and support of two soldiers.

From Wikipedia

 

Perhaps her most famous military campaign was the Battle of Orleans. In April 1429, she was greeted enthusiastically and boosted morale in the city of Orleans, a strategic location key to the saving of the country. She traveled with the army, staying in the front ranks, and often offered advice on military strategy.

On May 4th, Joan rode out with her banner to the site of a battle at an outlying fort. Her appearance rallied the troops, already exhausted and retreating, and together they attacked again and took back the fortress. Over the following days, several battles resulted in the French re-taking strongholds formerly held by the English. She was wounded but not mortally, and continued to rally the troops.

Following this success, Joan insisted on accompanying the army on its march to Reims to crown a new king. Much progress was made, and many English were captured and killed. Charles VII was crowned on July 16, 1429, with Joan given a place of honor at the ceremony. It was here that she announced that God’s will had been fulfilled.

While Joan wanted to continue the fighting against the English, the new king decided he preferred peace. When her attack on Paris to re-take it for France failed, her role in the French court diminished. It appeared that while her aggressive independence was appreciated in time of war, her failure to support diplomatic attempts lost her supporters. Still, her family were made nobles for her contribution to the war effort, although her failure to succeed in every battle diminished her reputation.

In May 1430, Joan accompanied a force to an attack in Margny, which failed. She was captured and detained, although tried to escape. When that failed, her military days were over. She was ransomed off to England, who still saw her as a threat, and she was taken to English-held Rouen.

From Wikipedia

 

Her trial was held January 9, 1431, and she was accused of blasphemy by wearing men’s clothes, of acting on demonic visions, and of claiming no man was her judge, that God alone would judge her. She was tried in a church-run court, even though everybody knew politics motivated the charges. The verdict was a foregone conclusion, with the ecclesiastical jury of 131 men declaring her guilty without benefit of hearing the charges against her and being denied legal counsel.

From Wikipedia

Joan of Arc was executed by being burned at the stake on May 30, 1431, at about the age of 19, and her remains were thrown into the Seine River.

You might think that’s the end of the story. But it isn’t.

In February 1450, an inquiry into the trial concluded that Joan had been a prison of war who was treated as a political prisoner, and that her sentence was without basis. In 1452, a second inquest determined the trial had been biased.

From Wikipedia

 

On November 7, 1455, more than 24 years following her execution, a trial concluded Joan’s trial was unjust and deceitful, and nullified her conviction and execution. A copy of the Articles of Accusation was formally torn up, and the court ordered that a cross be erected on the site of Joan’s execution.

Joan’s legacy became a symbol of the divine right of the monarchy to rule France as she was widely associated at the defender of the French nation. She had a mind for military strategy, and willingly stepped in when men failed to take leadership. She has been canonized in the Roman Catholic church, and while not officially recognized as a martyr for her faith, she is revered as one who suffered for her modesty and purity, for her country, and for the convictions of her faith.

She challenged the traditions of her time, demanded the right to be heard as an individual, and set her own course in life.





About Donna:

A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.

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Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc