History: Joan Of D Arc Myth

Joan of d’Arc The Middle Ages saw the rise and fall of empires. Wars and conquests where kings were crowned and their champions become legends. The tales of their deeds are still are written in our history, but like all legends there is a mixture of truth and myth. It is during the Hundred Years’ War between France and England that we hear of one such tale. The rise of King Charles VII and his champion, Joan of d’Arc, a mere peasant girl and devout to the Catholic Church who became a warrior, a martyr, and the Saint of France. Joan of d’Arc was born to Isabelle Romee and Jacques d’Arc in the year of 1412 in the small village of Domrémy, in Northeastern France. Though Joan received no formal education, Isabelle taught Joan in the teachings
Her first stop on her journey was in the town Vaucouleurs to speak with Robert de Baudricourt, a garrison commander and a supporter of Charles VII. Robert refused Joan at first, afterwards Joan gained the support from the locals. In 1429, Robert gave Joan a white horse along with white male armor and an escort for her 11-day journey to Chinon, but for Joan to make her journey, Joan had to crop her hair thus minimizing the chance of someone noticing Joan was a woman and not a man. Joan’s journey through enemy territory had begun. Her next stop was to the town of Chinon, the site of Charles VII’s court. Joan had arrived at Charles VII’s court, she asked to speak with him telling him that she had received a task from God. Charles was skeptical about this and ordered his court to give Joan three trials. Joan’s first trial was to find Charles, who was dressed incognito in a crowd of members of court. Joan passed the first trial and begun her second trial. In Joan’s second task, Joan asked to speak with Charles privately and Joan revealed details of his prayers to God to save France. Joan had passed her second trial, Charles, still skeptical about this peasant girl, had theologians examine Joan. The theologians reported “the clergymen reported they found nothing improper with Joan only piety, chastity and humility.” Charles, finally believing Joan was sent by God, gave Joan command of his army
Joan was taken captive and held by Burgundian forces. The Burgundians held Joan for several months and saw her as a propaganda prize. Joan was finally exchanged for ten thousand francs. King Charles VII making no attempt to release her and distant himself, turned over Joan to church officials insisted she be tried as a heretic. Joan was charged with over seventy charges including witchcraft, heresy and dressing like a man. In the year 1431 from February 21 to March 24, Joan was interrogated nearly a dozen times by a tribunal, always keeping her humility and steadfast claim of innocence. Joan was held in a military prison rather than being held in a church prison, maintained humility and innocence (Bio.com). In May 29, 1431, a year after being captured by Burgundian forces and then turned over to church officials, was found guilty of heresy. On the 30th of May in the year 1431, Joan was burned at the stake in the town of Rouen. Joan’s ashes were gathered and taken to Seine where her ashes were scattered (Bio.com) After Joan’s death, the war between France and England continued for another 22 years. King Charles VII ordered Joan to be declared innocent of all charges and designated Martyr. Joan was canonized in May 16, 1920 and named Patron Saint of France