Joan of Arc’s major accomplishment is the role she played in the Hundred Years’ War (1337 to 1453) where she revived the French efforts and fortunes in the war against England over territorial rights and the issue of succession to the French throne.
“Her victory at Orlèans proved to be an important turning point in the fortune of the French during the Hundred Years’ War.”
Why I Wanted to Learn More About Joan of Arc
I have been reading the Rogue Angel fantasy series by Alex Archer since 2008. I love the series, and a book comes out every other month. I personally think the writer is writing them too quickly because the quality is not consistent. Anyway, the protagonist is archaeologist Anja Creed, who is constantly fighting the bad guys. She always finds her way into difficult situations, and I like the books best when Anja uses her mind to work through her problems.
Destiny (Rogue Angel Book 1)
The Mortality Principle (Rogue Angel)Mystic Warrior (Rogue Angel Book 56)Treasure of Lima (Rogue Angel)Solomon's Jar (Rogue Angel Book 2)
She has the aid of a special sword which belonged to Joan of Arc, and the sword comes to her from the otherworld when she is in a tight corner and needs help fighting the bad guys. Since the sword “found” Anja, her skills and ability, which were good to begin with, have been heightened. It’s believed that no one can take away the sword unless she gives it to them.
Is the information about Joan of Arc in Rogue Angel, more fiction than fact? I’m set to find out for myself.
Name: Joan of Arc (The Maid of Orlèans)
Birth Date: c. January 1412 – May 1431
Job Functions: French military leader and saint
Known For: Turning things around for France during the Hundred Years’ War with England
Joan of Arc had no formal education, and did not learn to read or write. Instead, her mother taught her about faith and prayers as well how to spin and sew. Joan was an obedient child and very strong. While growing up she danced and sang with other village girls. When she was 13 years old, Joan of Arc reported to hear “voices” and seeing visions. The visions were believed to be of St. Michael, St. Margaret of Antioch and St. Catherine of Alexandria.
Like any child at that young age, Joan was quite terrified, but grew accustomed to the voices. When she reached 17, the voices became more authoritative and ordered her to free France from English occupation and to “see the dauphin crowned in Rheims Cathedral.” At that time, Rheims was under English control. These appeared to be an impossible undertaking for a 17 year girl with only religious and domestic training.
After much effort, Joan of Arc was granted a meeting with the dauphin, Charles of Lorraine who was later crowned Charles VII. In his presence, Joan said, “I am come with a mission from God to give aid to you and to the kingdom, and the King of Heaven orders you, through me to be anointed and crowned at Rheims.” The dauphin did not believe her, but she whispered in his ears and he realized she was authentic, the real deal. People surmised that what she whispered in his ears was the true circumstances surrounding his birth. Charles of Lorraine was also very superstitious, so he would believe the type of message that Joan delivered and frankly France desperately needed help in the Hundred Years’ War against England.
Shortly after her meeting with the dauphin, Joan was suited for war: unadorned armour of steel, personal banner and a sword from the church, Ste-Catherine-de-Fierbois. Joan set off to liberate Orlèans – which had been under siege for about seven months – with between 7,000 to 8,000 men under her command, including her brothers Pierre and Jean. In about eight days, despite being wounded during the attack, Joan freed the town from England.
As the French won more battles against England, the soldiers became more confident and morale improved, and within about three months, the dauphin, Charles of Lorraine was crowned king at Rheims as Charles VII. With what once seemed like an impossible mission now accomplished, Joan requested permission to return home to her family, but the king and archbishop refused her request.
More battles ensued, and in one, she was injured, but not helped by her supporters who betrayed her. Joan was captured and subsequently sold to the English. No one, including Charles VII came to her rescue. She was jailed with guards inside and outside of her cell, and was chained within her cell.
Seventy charges were drawn up against her for sorcery and heresy, which was later reduced to 12. And she was interrogated 12 times by canon lawyers. Her trial, known as Trial of Condemnation resulted in Joan being burned at the stake as a relapsed heretic. Joan wasn’t allowed a lawyer or any witnesses.
Nearly two decades after her burning, Pope Calixtus revoked and annulled her condemnation at the court of Rouen and declared her innocent. And in 1920, she was canonized by Pope Benedict XV, and in 1922 was declared a patron of France.
Why Joan of Arc Was Wise
- Whether or not we believe that St. Joan of Arc actually heard voices or had visions, she believed strongly in something.
- Without any military training, she led between 7,000 to 8,000 under her command to liberate Orlèans. In eight days despite being wounded in battle, Joan saved the town.
- Joan developed skills in swordsmanship, leading an army and managing artillery.
- She knew what her calling was, and acted on it. She lived her purpose.
- The best lawyers and “doctors of the church” tried to entangle her during her imprisonment, but she responded in what was later documented as “grand manner”, “proud reply,” which is not bad for a simple girl.
Now I return to Rogue Angel, I just finished reading the latest one The other Crowd, and I enjoyed it that much more because I now had a context for their references to Joan of Arc. Perhaps the spirit of Joan of Arc does live on in Anja Creed.
Sources Cited/Referenced
Women in World History
Dictionary of Women Worldwide
Encyclopedia of World Biography
Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology
Related articles
- 7 Things You Didn't Know About Joan of Arc (history.com) (Note from Avil: Different from my source material)
- Joan of Arc on Trial (Part 1) (drvitelli.typepad.com)
- Joan of Arc on Trial (Part 2) (drvitelli.typepad.com)
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