Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orléans.

Joan of Arc, known in French as Jeanne d'Arc (pronounced [ʒan daʁk]), was an extraordinary figure whose life, though brief, left an indelible mark on French history and the broader Western world. Born around 1412, she famously referred to herself as "Joan the Maiden" (or "Jehanne la Pucelle" in the French of her era) and is now affectionately remembered as "The Maid of Orléans" (La Pucelle d'Orléans). Her unparalleled courage and conviction during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years' War secured her status as a revered heroine of France, a testament to her profound impact. Beyond her military and political significance, Joan is also recognized as a saint within the Roman Catholic Church, a symbol of unwavering faith and divine inspiration.

A Humble Beginning and Divine Calling

Joan's life began in a modest peasant family, born to Jacques d'Arc and Isabelle Romée, in the small village of Domrémy, nestled in the Vosges region of northeast France. It was against this backdrop of rural simplicity and deep faith that her remarkable journey unfolded. In 1428, at the tender age of approximately 17, Joan embarked on an improbable quest, traveling to Vaucouleurs with an audacious request: an armed escort to bring her before Charles VII, the dauphin and uncrowned king of France. Her conviction stemmed from what she later testified were divine visions and voices. She recounted receiving direct instructions from the archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine, urging her to support Charles and liberate France from the suffocating grip of English domination. Initially, her pleas to see the king were met with skepticism and rejection, dismissed twice by the local authorities. However, her unwavering resolve and profound belief eventually swayed the garrison commander, Robert de Baudricourt, who, against all odds, relented and provided her with the essential escort to Chinon, where Charles VII resided.

The Turning Tide: From Chinon to Coronation

Upon her arrival at Chinon and her subsequent interview with Charles VII, the dauphin, despite initial hesitation, recognized something extraordinary in the young peasant girl. He decided to send Joan to the crucial siege of Orléans, integrating her into a relief army dispatched to aid the beleaguered city. Her arrival in Orléans on April 29, 1429, was nothing short of miraculous for the French forces. Within a mere nine days, her presence ignited a dormant spirit among the French soldiers, culminating in the lifting of the siege – a pivotal moment that dramatically shifted the momentum of the war. This stunning victory at Orléans was not an isolated event. Throughout the following June, Joan played a central and inspiring role in the Loire Campaign, a series of strategic military operations that ultimately led to the decisive defeat of the English at the Battle of Patay. Following these triumphant battles, the French army, revitalized and emboldened, advanced towards Reims. On July 16, they entered the historic city, and the very next day, in a deeply symbolic and morale-boosting ceremony, Charles was consecrated as the King of France in Reims Cathedral, with Joan of Arc prominently by his side. These critical victories not only invigorated French morale but also laid the foundational groundwork for the ultimate French triumph in the Hundred Years' War, culminating years later with the victory at Castillon in 1453.

The Siege of Orléans: A Watershed Moment

The siege of Orléans, which spanned from October 12, 1428, to May 8, 1429, stands as an indisputable watershed moment in the protracted Hundred Years' War between France and England. It represented the French royal army's first significant military success after the devastating defeat at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and critically, it was the first major victory achieved with Joan of Arc actively present with the army. This siege occurred at the zenith of English power during the latter stages of the conflict, making the French victory all the more remarkable. Orléans itself held immense strategic and symbolic significance for both warring factions. There was a widespread consensus among contemporaries that if Orléans had fallen, John of Lancaster, the English regent, would have undoubtedly realized his brother King Henry V's ambitious dream of conquering the entirety of France. For half a year, the combined forces of the English and their French allies, the Burgundians, appeared to be on the brink of victory, tightening their grip on the city. Yet, with Joan's arrival, the entire complexion of the siege dramatically reversed, collapsing in a mere nine days, marking a truly astonishing turn of events.

Setbacks, Ennoblement, and Capture

Following Charles VII's consecration, the unified French forces, led by Joan and John II, Duke of Alençon, turned their attention towards Paris, initiating a siege of the capital. An assault on the city was launched on September 8, but it proved unsuccessful, and during the fierce fighting, Joan herself was wounded by an arrow. The French forces, facing stiff resistance, were compelled to withdraw, and King Charles subsequently disbanded the army. By October, Joan had recuperated from her injury and once again returned to the field, participating in an attack on the territory controlled by Perrinet Gressart, a notorious mercenary who had allied himself with the English and the Burgundian faction – a powerful group of French nobles who supported the English cause. After some initial successes in this campaign, the efforts ultimately ended in a failed attempt to capture Gressart's stronghold at La-Charité-sur-Loire. As December approached, Joan found herself back at the French court, where she received welcome news: both she and her family had been formally ennobled by King Charles VII, a significant honor for a peasant family and a recognition of her extraordinary service.

Trial, Execution, and Enduring Legacy

The following year, in May 1430, Joan once more took up arms, organizing a company of volunteers to relieve Compiègne, which was under siege by the Burgundians. However, during a sortie outside the city walls, she was captured by Burgundian troops on May 23. This capture was a catastrophic blow for the French and a boon for the English, as she was subsequently exchanged to them. The English, eager to discredit her and, by extension, Charles VII's legitimacy, orchestrated a politically motivated trial. She was put on trial by Pierre Cauchon, the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais, under the charge of heresy. The trial, marked by procedural irregularities and intense pressure, ultimately led to a declaration of guilt. On May 30, 1431, at the tragically young age of about 19, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen. Her execution was intended to extinguish her influence, but it inadvertently solidified her status as a martyr in the eyes of many.

Decades later, in 1456, a new chapter in Joan's story unfolded. An inquisitorial court, authorized by Pope Callixtus III, launched a thorough investigation into the original trial. This reinvestigation meticulously uncovered a litany of deceit, fraud, and incorrect procedures that had marred the initial proceedings. Consequently, the verdict of Joan's original trial was officially nullified, and the stain on her name was solemnly declared to be erased. From the moment of her death, Joan has been widely revered as a martyr. Following the tumult of the French Revolution, her figure ascended to become a powerful national symbol of France, embodying resilience, faith, and patriotic fervor. Her journey to sainthood began with her beatification in 1909, followed by her canonization in 1920, and finally, her declaration as a secondary patron saint of France in 1922. Across the centuries, Joan of Arc has remained an immensely popular and inspirational figure, her story continually reinterpreted and celebrated in literature, painting, sculpture, and countless other cultural works. Renowned writers, playwrights, filmmakers, artists, and composers have consistently drawn inspiration from her life, creating, and continuing to create, vivid and enduring cultural depictions of this iconic historical figure.

FAQs About Joan of Arc

Who was Joan of Arc?
Joan of Arc, or Jeanne d'Arc, was a young peasant girl from France born around 1412 who rose to become a military leader and national heroine during the Hundred Years' War. She claimed to have received divine guidance from saints instructing her to support Charles VII and expel the English from France. She is also a canonized saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
What was her primary role in the Hundred Years' War?
Her primary role was to lead the French army to several crucial victories, most notably lifting the Siege of Orléans, which was a turning point in the war. She also played a significant part in the Loire Campaign and in facilitating the consecration of Charles VII as King of France at Reims.
What were her "voices" or visions?
Joan testified that she received divine visions and heard voices from the archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine. These spiritual encounters, she believed, provided her with specific instructions and guidance to help the French cause and restore Charles VII to his rightful throne.
How did she convince Charles VII to trust her?
Initially, Charles VII was skeptical. However, Joan's unwavering conviction, her knowledge of events she seemingly couldn't have known, and perhaps a private sign she gave him (the exact nature of which remains debated by historians), ultimately persuaded him to grant her command and send her to Orléans.
What was the significance of the Siege of Orléans?
The Siege of Orléans (1428-1429) was a critical moment because its fall would likely have allowed the English to conquer all of France. Joan's arrival revitalized the French forces, leading to the lifting of the siege within nine days and marking the first major French victory after a long period of defeats, fundamentally shifting the war's momentum.
Why was Joan of Arc burned at the stake?
Joan was captured by Burgundian forces, who were allied with the English, and subsequently sold to the English. She was put on trial by a pro-English ecclesiastical court led by Bishop Pierre Cauchon, charged with heresy. The trial was politically motivated to discredit her and Charles VII, and she was ultimately found guilty and executed by burning at the stake on May 30, 1431.How was she posthumously vindicated and canonized?
In 1456, an inquisitorial court authorized by Pope Callixtus III investigated her original trial, finding it to be marred by deceit, fraud, and procedural errors. Her conviction was nullified, and her name cleared. She was beatified in 1909, canonized as a saint in 1920, and declared a secondary patron saint of France in 1922, cementing her revered status.
What is Joan of Arc's legacy today?
Joan of Arc remains an enduring symbol of courage, faith, and national identity for France. She is a powerful figure in the Roman Catholic Church and continues to inspire countless works of art, literature, film, and music worldwide, representing unwavering conviction and the triumph of spirit against adversity.