Jeanne+d'Arc+(Joan+of+Arc)

“I am not afraid. I was born to do this” -Joan of Arc (Brainy Quote). At the young age of nineteen years old, Joan of Arc accomplished her divine mission to restore morale to the French army (Check). Viewed as a “holy tomboy," this visionary heroine defied every limitation placed on women during the Middle Ages (Harrison). The “maid of New Orleans” was largely respected and was highly regarded as “divinely inspired” even in her lifetime (Thurston). Her legacy is highly respected and still reigns as every May 8th is celebrated to commemorate her triumph and deliverance (Chamberlin). In her short life, Joan of Arc has remarkably changed the course of French history (Williamson).
 * Introduction **

On January 6, 1412, during the Hundred Years’ War, Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) was born to farmers, Isabelle and Jacques d’Arc, in the countryside of Doremy, France (Check). Friends and neighbors referred to her as Jeanette, later in life she called herself “La Pucelle” meaning “The Maid” (Hertz). While growing up Jeanne knew only a little more than spinning wool and watching her father’s flock (Harrison). She was commonly illiterate, however, she kept an immense secret. At her trial Jeanne testified that at the age of 13 she envisioned figures of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine (Chamberlin). The voices urged her to drive out the English and take the Dauphin to his coronation at the Rheims Cathedral as designat ed lieutenant of Christ (Hertz). At the early age of 17, Jeanne traveled to Vaucouleurs where the French army officers did not believe in Jeanne’s mission. It was not until she prophesied the details of an upcoming battle of the Herrings that they were finally convinced of her divine revelation (Harrison). Jeanne was granted permission by R obert de Baudricourt, the local garrison commander, to visit the royal court in Chinon in 1429 (Taylor). Her parents would not allow their daughter to go through such a dangerous quest, but Jeanne was determined. After 300 miles, an 11 days’ worth, of going through enemy territory Jeanne relayed her quest to Dauphin Charles (Chamberlin). Charles tested Jeanne by hiding in clothes of a peasant in his court, but she found him immediately with the help of her voices (Muchnic). Under suspicion Jeanne overcame the Dauphin’s opposition: confirming her virginity and approving her orthodoxy.
 * Personal Background **

Although they were convinced, Jeanne’s test was to raise the siege of Orleans (Chamberlin). The French leadership was not going to allow a peasant girl to join the army, therefore, she was forced to dress up as a male. Jeanne sheared off her hair, put on men’s armor and attire, took up her sword at God’s behest and was ready to lead her troops. Jeanne did not fear because she knew war as a child; she was forced to flee once when she still lived in Doremy when Burg undian raiders sacked her village (Harrison). During battle Jeanne would hold a 12 foot banner of “Christ the King,” rallying and inspiring troops wherever she went (Hertz).

It is difficult to extinguish whether or not Joan of Arc’s decisions and actions were actually guided by saints and other divine powers. Although if we were to say that her actions reflected her personal qualities, we could infer she was a very intelligent and determined person able to convince people by her personality and sincerity (Taylor). When Jeanne first arrived in court, as I stated above, the king tried to test her, making someone else sit on the throne whereas the king was standing among the nobles and peasants. Joan could almost immediately spot the king. This shows that she had a very perceptive observation and did not discriminate (Thurston). Jeanne’s deeper side showed in her “long hours of prayer, her fasts, her miracles, her charity to the poor an d her copious, ever ready tears” (Hertz). “In the aftermath of combat, she didn’t celebrate victory but mourned the casualties… her on her knees weeping as she held the head of a dying enemy soldier," Jeanne was compassionate of her religion and she was even able to sympathize with enemy soldiers (Harrison).
 * Personality Traits **

Jeanne’s power as an inspiring leader is obvious. She was brave and fearless on the battleground, demonstrating a keen tactical sense. “She was simple and innocent [but] she behaved like the most experienced captain in the world, like one with a whole lifetime of experience” when leading and dealing of armies and in the conduct of war. Despite the many accusations leveled at the young girl, Jeanne “deflected the charges with simple grace and confidence.” In addition when she was put on trial, Jeanne refused to answer anything about her visions, demonstrating great faith and courage (Check). She had the moral courage to embrace death rather than renounce anything other than what she believed to be the truth. "One life is all we ha ve and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying" (Brainy Quote).

Throughout Jeanne’s short career, she sought to return to her life in Doremy. However Jeanne’s most vital concern was the rights of God, therefore she had to do God’s will first. Jeanne was especially devoted and loyal, “her sole consideration was the supreme rights of Christ the King over civil society,” ofte <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">n stating “Aide toi Dieu t’aidera” (Aid yourself and God will aid you) (Hertz).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joan of Arc’s history will end with a cleverly orchestrated outcome due to the many obstacles she had to endure. Women at the time were considered as secondary citizens and were supposed to be subservient to men (Harrison). Jeanne’s father denied his daughter to run away, and even threatened to kill her. Yet, she managed t <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">o convince her uncle and the local lord that she was meant to be the one to save France and got their help to go to court (Taylor). Because Jeanne was the only woman among the soldiers, she was in grave danger of being abused by them. Not only did she dress in men’s clothes to lead her troops into battle <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px;">but she had to keep to herself to avoid molestation (Hertz).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Obstacles **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeanne was very successful in her leadership, resulting in making bitter enemies of the English (Check). After a series of victories, Jeanne started suffering from reversals (Harrison). Soon tales fed superstitions, and the English and members of the French clergy came to view Jeanne as a witch. This allowed Charles to be overly influenced by his corrupt advisors which led him to not fully support Jeanne anymore. When Jeanne pressed him for a bigger army Charles reluctantly gave her an inadequate force to liberate Paris; as a result, the attack on Paris failed and she was wounded with an arrow.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Jeanne’s last campaign would be on the following May after the failed attempt of Paris. She raised a small force of mercenaries and engaged the Burgundians at Compiegne (Check). However, Jeanne and a number of soldiers were trapped outside the city due to the commander of the town or dering the bridge drawn up prematurely (Chamberlin). She was dragged from her horse and made prisoner of the Duke of Burgundy, an ally of the English. The English bought her for what would be over half a million dollars today (Check). Jeanne failed in escaping the English’s wrath and was subjected to a sham trial with tragic results (Williamson). my, Charles reluctantly gave her an inadequate force to liberate Paris. As a result the attack on Paris faile d and she was wounded with an arrow.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The English were determined at all costs to take Joan of Arc’s life. They could not put her to death for having beaten them, but they could charge her for cross- dressing, being a witch and as a heretic (Thurston). Legal proceedings commenced on January 9, 1431 at Rouen, a secular <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> prison, where Jeanne was illegally confined and guarded by dissolute English soldiers. The leading clergy member was Pierre Cauchon, the Bishop of Beauvais, who was a supporter of the British and hated Jeanne’s revival of French national pride (Williamson). Some of the clergy were forced to cooperate after the English threatened their lives, a clear violation of Church rules. The outcome of the trial was already arranged but the Church officials involved still made it appear as though she was given a fair trial. The trial lasted through spring during which the Church officials tried to threaten her with torture, to try to publicly confess that her voices were not from God (Thurston). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Nonetheless, she was declared guilty and sentenced to death. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeanne was executed by burning on May 30, 1431 where she was taken to the old market square in Rouen and tied to a tall-pillar. Jeanne asked two of the clergy to hold a crucifix before her and was chanting in Christ’s name. An English soldier also formed a small cross which she put in the front of her dress before her hands were tied behind the stake. The executioner then gathered away the coals so that everyone could leer at her dead body. One English soldier guarding her was known to have said, “God have mercy on us. We have burned a saint.” The English burned her body twice more and then cast her remains into the Seine River (Chamberlin).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Historical Significance **

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> Twenty years later, in 1450, Pope Callixtus II authorized a nullification trial. The aim of this trial was to investigate whether the sentence and its verdict had been handled justly. Inquisitor- General Jean Bréhal conducted an investigation in 1452 and declared Jeanne as a martyr unjustly executed for a secular vendetta in June 1456. The appellate court overturned the guilty verdict and proclaimed Jeanne to be innocent on July 7, 1456. Félix Dupanloup, Bishop of Orléans, led the efforts to Joan of Arc’s beatification in 1909 held in Notre Dame de Paris. Works of nonreligious historians in the mid nineteenth century sparked public efforts to officially canonize her; Pope Benedict XV finally canonized Joan on May 16, 1920 (Thurston).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joan of Arc became a semi-legendary figure for the four centuries after her death. Her feast day is still celebrated on many local and Church calendars in France. Joan’s religious visions have remained the top ongoing topic of interest. Modern-day doctors have speculated Joan might have suffered from medical conditions, schizophrenia or a form of epilepsy, which made her hear voices. Many scholars denied this by arguing she did not display any of the common symptoms that can accompany these mental illnesses. Despite these arguments, Joan of Arc survives as a political symbol, a cult figure, and a muse for French and English artists. She has also been depicted in works by authors and play writers. In the United States, interest in Joan of Arc thrives in university history departments and on websites maintained by devotees (Muchnic).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Brainy Quote. "Joan of Arc Quotes." //Brainy Quote.// Web. 5 Feb. 2015. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chamberlin, Ann. "Joan of Arc." //Renaissance.// Vol. 4 #2 Issue 14 1999: 53-59. //SIRS Renaissance.// Web. 12 Feb. 2015. **SE#2** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Check, Christopher. "Peasant Girl to Battlefield Commander." //Catholic Answers Magazine// Vol. 18 #5. 1 May 2007. //Catholic Answers.// Web. 19 Oct. 2014. **SE#3** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Harrison, Kathryn. "Joan of Arc. Enduring Power." //The New York Times//. 5 Jan. 2012. //New York// ed.: A25. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. **SE#5** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hertz, Solange. "Joan of Arc: Scourge of Modern Feminists." //The Remnant Newspaper//. 9 Apr. 2014. //The Remnant//. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. **SE#6** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Muchnic, Suzanne. "Saint Joan of Arts." //Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA).// 24 Aug. 2003. //Sirs Renaissance//. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. **SE#4** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Taylor, Juliet, Larissa. "Joan of Arc, The Church, and The Papacy, 1429-1920*." Catholic Historical Review 2 (2012): 217. eLibrary. Web. 18 Sep. 2014. **SE#1** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thurston, Herbert. "St. Joan of Arc." The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. Web. 12 Feb. 2015. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Williamson, Allen. "Biography of Joan of Arc." //Joan of Arc Archive.// Web. 12 Feb. 2015 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">References **