Joan of Arc was the daughter of a peasant farmer and was born in Domeremy, Champagne, around 1412. Joan of Arc was born into an unsettled period of French history. France had been overrun by the English during the Hundred Years war, and further weakened by civil disorder. This involved a civil war between French loyal to the French king and the Burgundians, French who supported the English. The king of France, Charles VI, was insane and his heir Charles, had little power. (Saxby 105-114).
When Henry V of England and Charles VI of France both died in 1422, France was plunged deeper into civil conflict. The English declared the child, Henry VI, king of both England and France, while those loyal to the French crown considered Charles the rightful heir, although he had not been crowned and was known as the Dauphin. An English regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled Paris but was not accepted by the people of Orleans. The Duke eventually laid siege to Orleans.
Although Joan of Arc was only a young peasant girl at the time of these events she was not unaware of the ruin of her country and the despair of the people around her. While kneeling in her garden to prey one day, Joan of Arc experienced the first of the visions that were to shape her life and the course of French history. At the time Joan of Arc heard her name called out, spoken in the unfamiliar voices of two women and a man. She was convinced that it was God who had spoken to her, but she remained silent about her experience. (Davis 1).
In the history of France there was a prophecy that should France ever be in trouble it would be saved by a maiden from an oak forest. This was a prediction that Merlin the magician, from the stories of King Arthur and the round table, in England had made years before. Joan of Arc was aware of this prophecy and as she experienced more visions she began to feel that she was the maiden who could save France. She became convinced that she must act after a vision in which Saint Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret appeared and told her to travel to the Dauphin and help him free Orleans. For Joan of Arc this was a divine command she had to obey. (Felder 193).
To begin to carry out God뭩 divine command Joan of Arc traveled to Vaucouleurs to see Captain Robert de Beaudricourt, who commanded French troops still loyal to Charles. She tried to convince the captain that she should see the Dauphin, but was unable to convince him, so she returned home.
In 1429 Joan of Arc renewed her attempts to see the Dauphin. This time she was able to convince the captain by describing an event she could not possibly have witnessed or had news of, the Dauphin뭩 loss of a battle in Orleans.
Now Joan of Arc was able to travel to Chinon with the hope of seeing the Dauphin. At first her hopes were frustrated and she was refused permission to see Charles. Joan of Arc was determined to see the Dauphin and she was eventually given permission to enter his court. She at once recognized the Duaphin, but he was only convinced of the divine nature of her mission after some time had passed. He was convinced by a combination of her persistent determination and her visions. The Dauphin eventually gave Joan command of the army. She was also given armor to wear and was offered a sword. She rejected the sword because her voices and visions directed her to a sword buried behind an altar. This is the sword Joan carried into battle. (Saxby 107).
Joan of Arc was seventeen when she lead her army into battle. It was to be the first of many triumphs. With her troops she fought a fierce battle for Orleans. Although both sides fought a long hard battle, and she was wounded, Joan of Arc and her troops eventually triumphed.
Following the victory Joan of Arc traveled to Chinon to try to convince Charles to go to Reims and be crowned king. The Dauphin could not make up his mind about doing what Joan of Arc suggested. Joan left Remis to fight the English in other cities and was triumphant once again. ( Wallbank and Schrier 284).
In July 1429 Charles eventually did go to Reims and was crowned king. Joan of Arc witnessed the coronation. Although Charles had rightfully been crowned king, France was not yet completely triumphant against the English. Joan of Arc fought more campaigns to free France, but was eventually captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English as a prisoner of war. (Felder 193).
Joan of Arc was accused of witchcraft and heresy and tried by French judges. Her powers and visions were brought into question even though they had been beneficial in restoring France, and Joan of Arc herself lead the army triumphantly in battle. The powers of triumphant France, including the king, did nothing to defend her in court. Joan of Arc was eventually found guilty and burned at the stake in 1431. (Saxby 105).
It can be seen that the effect Joan of Arc had on France was both significant and extensive. It was her strength, passion, determination and success which freed France from the English. It also brought about a national spirit that helped France with the Hundred Years war. She had started to turn the tables on the English and so contributed greatly to the early stages of the making of France. Her faith in the word of God not only allowed France to emerge from the ravages of war and disorder but also restore it뭩 rightful ruler to power, thus ending a period of bitter internal strife and external dominance.
By Amy Anggo
Davis, Kate. Maid in Armor: The Story of Joan of Arc., 1995 SIRS Discover., CD-ROM. USA; SIRS INC., 1996.
Felder, Deborah G. The 100 Most Influential Women of All Time., New York: Carol Publishing Group, 1996.
Wallbank, T. Walter. and Schrier, Arnold. Living World History., Glenview: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1990.