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Consider this unique and imposing distinction.
Since the writing of human history began,
Joan of Arc is the only person, of either sex,
who has ever held supreme command
of the military forces of a nation
at the age of
seventeen.
LOUIS KOSSUTH.
champion of liberty,
head of Hungary's national defense, 1848,
President of Hungary, 1849
WHO WAS JOAN OF ARC?
Joan of Arc, also called "the maid" or "la pucelle", is the patron saint of France. She is also known as its "deliverer". Hers is quite an unusual story. How could a teenage girl from a tiny village in rural France ever be able to earn such an august title as "Deliverer of France"? Let's try to find out, shall we? Follow the webquest below:
THE TASK
Using the resources listed below, find the answers to the following questions:
- How would you describe Joan, her family and their background?
- What caused Joan to leave her rural existance and travel to visit the royal court?
- What were Joan's initial triumphs?
- What was Joan's trial like? What was the stated reason for the trial given by the English? What do you think the real reason for her trial was?
- What three miracles did the Vatican accept in order to raise her to the official rank of canonized saint?
- Why is Joan called the "Deliverer of France"?
THE PROCESS
Use the websites listed below to answer these questions. These are just some significant sites that will increase your background knowledge of Joan and the background history of her time.
- St. Joan, A Modern Day Hero for All Taken from the St. Joan of Arc Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- What is the historical significance of Joan of Arc? Taken from the St. Joan of Arc Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- International Society Joan of Arc Society
- Joan of Arc Online Archive An archive of information pertaining to Joan of Arc: biographical summary, trial testimony, her letters and other documents.
- Life Summary of Joan from Joan of Arc Online Archive
- Her Timeline Information from Joan of Arc Online Archive
-
Her Letters Information from Joan of Arc Online Archive
-
Brief Sketch of Joan of Arc's Life by Catholic Online Saints
- Catholic Saints Index A brief Sketch of Joan of Arc's Life
- Joan of Arc Information from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
- A short history of Joan of Arc from Saints of the Day, May 30
- Biography of Joan written in the early twentieth century by Herbert Thurston 1856-1939)
- Timeline of the One Hundred Years War
- Joan of Arc’s letter to the King of England Her letter demanding immediate withdrawal of English soldiers from French soil
- Maps showing Joan of Arc's journeys
- Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc Mark Twain's book about Joan of Arc
- Saint Joan of Arc Center
- Saint Joan of Arc Trial Documemts
- Saint Joan's Notable Quoteables
- Saint Joan's Museum Her museum in Rouen, France
- Saint Joan, The Maid of France
- Texts about Saint Joan Information is from the International Joan of Arc Society at Southern Methodist University
- Pictorial Essays of Saint Joan Information is from the Saint Joan of Arc Center
- Joan of Arc's suit of armor Information is from the Joan of Arc Museum in Rouen, France
- Joan of Arc's Banners Information is from the Joan of Arc Museum in Rouen, France
- Joan of Arc's sword Information is from the Joan of Arc Museum in Rouen, France
SAINT JOAN, HER LIFE IN PICTURES
Joan's house in Domremy, France
She was born on Jan. 6, 1412 (?). Her parents were Jacques and Isabelle d'Arc.
It was a turbulent time, there were many battles between two rival French groups,
the Armagnacs and Burgundians.
In 1415, Henry V of England invaded France and defeated the Armagnacs at the battle of Aginçourt.
Joan's Church
Joan was about 12 years old when she was in her garden and
“heard a voice from God to help me govern my conduct”.
Joan at prayer
See the Prayer to Saint Joan below.
Joan was told by her "voices" to take up arms and to save France.
The town of Vaucouleurs
In May of 1428, Durand Lassois, a relative, took her to Vaucouleurs to speak to
Lord Robert de Baudricourt, the local garrison commander, about her "mission".
He was not convinced and sent her away.
On October 12, 1428, the town of Orleans was besieged by English troops.
In January or February of 1429, Durand Lassois took her back to Vaucouleurs.
This time Baudricourt decided to take her to see the Dauphin at Chinon.
Once at Chinon, to the court's dismay, she correctly identified the disguised Dauphin of France.
Joan convinced the Dauphin of her divine mission.
The Dauphin pledged his military support to her.
The Dauphin gave Joan armor, horses and banners.
April 29, 1429, Joan enters the beseiged city of Orleans with supplies.
On May 4, 1429, Lord Dunois confronted the English-held fortifications.
Joan, in her armor and with her banner, rode up on her white horse
and inspired the French troops to attack.
On May 7, 1429, Joan led the French troops in an attack on Les Tourelles.
At Les Tourelles, Joan was shot by an arrow and taken from the battlefield by her aides.
She removed the arrow herself and then returned to the battle.
The French soldiers were so inspired by her bravery that they won a great victory.
Joan had a number of battles against the English.
This map shows the sites of her battles and traces her route to Chinon.
On July 17, 1429, the Dauphin was crowned Charles VII at Rheims' Cathedral.
Joan was there beside him, holding her banner.
Rheims Cathedral
Rheims Cathedral Interior
Joan is captured at the battle of Compiegne at the end of May, 1430.
Joan is a prisoner of the English.
In November, 1430, the Burgundians sold her to their English allies for a large amount of money.
On December 23, 1430, she was taken to Rouen, the center of the English occupation government.
Joan is questioned by Pierre Cauchon.
Since she had tried to escape her prison by jumping out a window,
she was chained by the neck, hands, and feet.
She was held for months and dragged out of her cell twice a day for questioning.
On January 9, 1431, her trial began by pro-English clergy sustained by the English government.
On May 24, 1431, Joan signed a "confession" after the clergy threatened her with immediate execution.
Four days later, after only being offered her soldiers' clothing to wear, she was declared "relapsed".
On May 30, 1431, Joan is burned alive at the stake in Rouen.
(Prisoners were usually hanged first, then their bodies were burned at the stake.
But Joan was burned alive).
She asked for a cross.
Her last words were "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus".
Eyewitnesses said some of the English officials cried.
Jean Tressard, the English Royal secretary, shouted:
"We are all ruined, for a good and holy person was burned."
On July 7, 1456 Church officials investigated Joan's trial and overturned her conviction.
They described Joan as a martyr who was put to death wrongly by biased clergy
using a Church trial for secular reasons.
Martyrs are automatically thought of as saints, so her canonization began at that time.
In 1909, Joan was officially beatified.
In 1920, she was officially canonized as a saint.
Her saint's day is May 30.
QUOTATIONS FROM JOAN OF ARC DURING HER MILITARY CAMPAIGNS
The following quotes are taken from:
-http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/sj/joanarc/joanarc.htm
Webpage of Joseph MacDonnell, S.J.
"Quotations during Joan's Military Campaigns"
I came to Chinon about noon and put up at an inn, and, after dinner, I went to the King in his castle. And when I entered the King's chamber, I knew him among the rest, for the voice counseled me and revealed it to me. And I told the King that I would go to make war on the English.
I do not know A from B.
I am come from the King of Heaven to raise the siege of Orleans and to lead the Dauphin to Rheims to be crowned and anointed.
In God's name, I did not come to Poitiers to give signs! Take me to Orleans, and I will show you a sign and for what I am sent! The voice has told me that it is God's will to deliver the people of France from the calamity that is upon them.
Are you the Bastard of Orleans? Was it you who counseled that we should come here on this side of the river, and not go straight to where Talbot and the English are? {Yes} In God's name! Our Lord God's counsel is surer and wiser than yours is. You thought to deceive me; it is yourself that you deceive. For I bring you better succor than ever came to captain or town, which is succor from the King of Heaven. Nor is it granted for love of me, but God.
Tomorrow I will not go out to fight nor put on armor, in reverence to the feast day; I will make my confession and receive the sacrament.
Let none tomorrow dare to leave the town and go out to fight, unless he has first gone to confession. And let them beware lest women of evil fame follow them: because, for sin, God will permit the loss of this war.
You Englishmen, who have no right in this Kingdom of France, the King of Heaven sends you word and warning, by me Jehanne the Maid, to abandon your forts and depart into your own country, or I will raise such a war - cry against you as shall be remembered forever. And this I write to you for the third and last time, nor shall I write further.
Tomorrow, rise very early, earlier than you did today, and do the best that you can. Keep close to me all day, for tomorrow I shall have much to do and greater things than I have had to do yet. And tomorrow blood will flow from my body, above my breast.
I was the first to set a ladder against the fortress on the bridge, and, as I raised it, I was wounded in the throat by a cross-bow bolt. But Saint Catherine comforted me greatly. And I did not cease to ride and do my work.
Courage! Do not fall back: in a little the place will be yours. Watch! When you see the wind blow my banner against the bulwark, you shall take it!
In, in, the place is yours!
{To the English Captain} Glasdale, Glasdale, yield, yield to the King of Heaven. You have called me "whore": I pity your soul and the souls of your men.
{To those who wished to apply charms to her wound} I would rather die than do what I know to be sin.
Whenever I am unhappy, because men will not believe me in the things that I say at God's bidding, I go apart and pray to God, complaining to him that those to whom I speak do not easily believe me. And when I have made my prayer to God, I hear a voice that says to me: "Child of God, go, go, go! I shall be with you to help you. Go!" And when I hear that voice I feel a great joy. Indeed, I would that I might ever be in that state.
QUOTATIONS FROM SAINT JOAN'S TRIAL
The following quotes are taken from:
-http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/sj/joanarc/joanarc
Webpage of Joseph MacDonnell, S.J., "Quotations from Joan's Trial".
I will willingly swear to tell the truth. But the revelations, which have come to me from God, I have never told or revealed to anyone, except to Charles, my King. Nor would I reveal them if I were to be beheaded.
{When asked to prove that she knew her prayers}: I will not say the "Our Father" for you unless you will hear me in confession.
I do not accept your prohibition. And if I escape from prison, no one can accuse me of breaking my faith, for I have pledged it to no one.
I protest against being kept in chains and irons.
It is true that I have wished, and that I still wish, what is permissible for any captive: to escape!
I come, sent by God. I have no business here. I pray you, send me back to God from whom I am come.
I heard my voice yesterday and today. Yesterday I heard it three times - once in the morning, once at vespers, and the third time when the bells were ringing for "Hail Mary" in the evening.
I was sleeping and the voice waked me. And I thanked it, sitting up in my bed, and joining my hands.
I prayed it to counsel me in what I should answer, telling it to ask counsel of our Lord in that. And the voice told me that I should answer bravely and that God would help me.
You say that you are my judge. Take thought over what you are doing. For, truly, I am sent from God, and you are putting yourself in great danger.
About what I know which concerns this trial I will freely tell the truth, and I will tell you just as much as I should tell if I were before the Pope of Rome. {She was asked: Whom you believe is the true Pope}
She answered: Are there two?
Do you want me to tell you what concerns the King of France?
There are many things which do not concern this trial. And I know well that my King will win the Kingdom of France - I know it as well as I know that you are before me to judge me.
I should be dead, were it not for the revelation that comforts me each day.
{She was asked: Was Saint Michael naked?}
She answered: Do you think that God has not wherewith to clothe him?
{She was asked: Had he hair?}
She answered: Why should it have been cut off?
{She was asked: Are you in the state of grace?}
She answered: If I am, may God keep me in it. If I am not, may He soon bring me to it.
{She was asked: When you confess, do you believe that you are in mortal sin?}
She answered: I do not know if I have been in mortal sin: I do not believe that I have done the works thereof. Please God I have not been! Please God I shall not do, and that I have not done things by which my soul will be burdened!
{She was asked: Do you not know the sign that you gave to your King?}
She answered: You shall not learn that from me.
{She was asked: Do you know by revelation that you will escape from prison?}
She answered: That does not concern your trial! Would you have me speak against myself?
I cannot tell you impossible things! I call this impossible - that I should revoke the things which I have said and done, as they are set down in this trial, concerning the visions and revelations which I have said that I had from God. Not for anything will I revoke them. And what our Lord has caused and commanded me to do, and shall command, I will not cease from doing for any man living. And it would be impossible for me to revoke them. And in case the Church wished to make me do something else, contrary to the commandment, which I say God has given me, not for anything would I do it.
Truly, if you were to have me torn limb from limb and send my soul out of my body, I would say nothing else. And if I did say anything, afterwards I should always say that you had made me say it by force.
I have asked my voices to counsel me whether I should submit to the Church, because the churchmen were pressing me to submit to the Church. And my voices have told me that, if I want our Lord to help me, I must lay all my deeds before him.
If I were at the place of execution, and I saw the fire lighted, and the faggots catching and the executioner ready to build up the fire, and if I were in the fire, even so I would say nothing else, and I would maintain what I have said at this trial until death. I have nothing more to say.
Speak not against my King! He is a good Christian.
You take great pains to seduce me. I leave it to your consciences whether I should recant or not. I am content to do what you will have me.
Abjure? What does abjure mean?
I would rather sign it than burn. Now, you churchmen, take me to your prison, and let me be no longer in the hands of the English.
Alas! Am I so horribly and cruelly used, that my clean body, never yet defiled, must this day be burnt and turn to ashes! Ha! I would rather be beheaded seven times than suffer burning.
Alas! If I had been kept in the Church's prison, to which I had submitted - if I had been kept by churchmen, instead of by my enemies and adversaries, I should not have come to such a miserable end. Oh, I appeal to God, the great Judge, from this great wrong and oppression!
Bishop, I die through you! I call to God against you!
Master Peter, where shall I be this night? By God's grace I shall be in Paradise.
PRAYER TO ST. JOAN
In the face of your enemies,
In the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt,
You held firm in your faith.
Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends,
You held firm in your faith.
Even as you faced your own mortality,
You held firm in your faith.
I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan.
I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles.
Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile
Can be won when I persist.
Help me hold firm in my faith.
Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely.
Amen.
Statue of Joan of Arc in the Place des Pyramides in Paris
Closer view of Joan's statue
Festival of Saint Joan in Orleans, France
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