Judges' investigations for the trial of Joan of Arc begin in Rouen, France, the seat of the English occupation government.

Joan of Arc: France's Enduring Heroine and Saint

Joan of Arc, known in French as Jeanne d'Arc (pronounced [ʒan daʁk]), was a pivotal figure in 15th-century French history. Born around 1412 and tragically executed on May 30, 1431, she referred to herself simply as "Joan the Maiden" (Jehanne la Pucelle in 15th-century French). Today, she is widely celebrated as "The Maid of Orléans" (La Pucelle d'Orléans in French), a title reflecting her crucial role in turning the tide of the Hundred Years' War. Her extraordinary life and divine mission led to her recognition as a heroine of France and, later, a canonized saint within the Roman Catholic Church.

The Hundred Years' War and Joan's Humble Origins

At the time of Joan's birth, France was embroiled in the devastating Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), a protracted conflict primarily between the House of Plantagenet (England) and the House of Valois (France) for control of the French throne. The "Lancastrian phase" (1415-1453) saw England, allied with the powerful Duchy of Burgundy, control vast swathes of northern France, including Paris. The French Dauphin, Charles VII, was uncrowned and held a tenuous grip on power from Bourges, with his legitimacy under constant threat.

Joan was born into a devout peasant family in Domrémy, a small village located in the Vosges region of northeast France. Her parents were Jacques d'Arc and Isabelle Romée. Domrémy's position near the border of pro-Burgundian and pro-French territories meant its inhabitants lived with the constant shadow of conflict, fostering a strong sense of loyalty to the embattled French crown.

Divine Calling and Meeting Charles VII

At approximately 17 years old, in 1428, Joan embarked on a remarkable journey to Vaucouleurs, seeking an armed escort to transport her to Charles VII. She testified during her later trial that she had begun to receive divine visions and voices from the Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine. These celestial messengers, she claimed, instructed her to undertake a holy mission: to support Charles VII in reclaiming his rightful kingdom from English domination and ensuring his coronation.

Initially, her audacious request to meet the uncrowned King was met with skepticism and rejected twice by Robert de Baudricourt, the garrison commander at Vaucouleurs. However, Joan's unwavering conviction, coupled with her growing local reputation for piety and prophecy, eventually persuaded Baudricourt to grant her an escort. This small company of soldiers then accompanied her on an eleven-day journey through hostile territory to Chinon, where Charles VII held court.

The Turning Point: Orléans and the Loire Campaign

Following a private interview with Joan – a meeting that reportedly convinced the skeptical Charles of her divine mandate – the Dauphin dispatched her to the strategically vital city of Orléans. This city represented the last major French stronghold blocking the English advance into the remaining Valois territories. Joan arrived on April 29, 1429, joining the French relief army. Her presence profoundly boosted French morale, transforming a demoralized force into one filled with renewed purpose.

Within an astonishing nine days of her arrival, Joan played a pivotal role in lifting the Siege of Orléans. She fearlessly led several assaults against English fortifications, inspiring soldiers with her courage and unwavering belief in God's will. This triumph was not just a military victory; it was a psychological turning point that shattered English invincibility.

Throughout June 1429, Joan continued to demonstrate exceptional leadership during the subsequent Loire Campaign. This series of swift, decisive victories culminated in the Battle of Patay, a crushing defeat for the English where their elite longbowmen were effectively neutralized. The victory at Patay effectively cleared the way for the French army's advance.

The Consecration at Reims and Renewed French Hope

Following the significant victories in the Loire Valley, the French army, with Joan prominently at its side, marched triumphantly to Reims. This ancient city held immense symbolic importance, as it was the traditional site for the coronation of French monarchs. On July 16, the army entered Reims, and the very next day, July 17, 1429, Charles VII was formally consecrated as the King of France in Reims Cathedral. Joan's presence at this sacred ceremony underscored his legitimacy, effectively ending years of uncertainty surrounding his claim to the throne.

These successive French victories, largely attributed to the momentum and morale instilled by Joan of Arc, significantly boosted national spirit. They laid the crucial groundwork for the eventual and definitive French victory in the Hundred Years' War, which concluded nearly two decades later with the Battle of Castillon in 1453.

Challenges and Capture

After Charles's consecration, Joan, alongside John II, Duke of Alençon's army, turned their attention to the heavily fortified city of Paris, still under Anglo-Burgundian control. An assault was launched on September 8, 1429, but it ultimately failed, with Joan herself being wounded by an arrow. The French forces subsequently withdrew, and Charles VII, cautious and perhaps wary of Joan's rising influence, disbanded the army.

By October, Joan had recovered from her wound and participated in a campaign against Perrinet Gressart, a notorious mercenary allied with the English and the Burgundian faction. The Burgundians, a powerful group of French nobles, had sided with the English due to complex political and dynastic rivalries. While Joan's forces achieved some initial successes, the campaign ended in a failed attempt to capture Gressart's stronghold at La-Charité-sur-Loire. By December, Joan had returned to the French court, where she received formal recognition for her services: Charles VII ennobled her and her entire family, granting them a coat of arms.

Despite this honor, Joan's fortunes took a dramatic turn in May 1430. She organized a company of volunteers to relieve the city of Compiègne, which was under siege by Burgundian forces. During a sally from the city walls on May 23, Joan was captured by Burgundian troops. She was subsequently sold to the English for a substantial sum, a transaction that sealed her grim fate.

The Politicized Trial and Martyrdom

Upon her transfer to English custody, Joan of Arc was subjected to a politically motivated trial in Rouen, English-controlled Normandy. The proceedings were overseen by Pierre Cauchon, the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais, who was determined to discredit Joan and, by extension, undermine the legitimacy of Charles VII's coronation. The charges brought against her were primarily heresy, which included accusations of witchcraft, blasphemy, and most notably, cross-dressing (wearing male attire), which was considered an affront to divine law and church doctrine.

Despite her eloquent and steadfast defense, the tribunal, stacked against her, declared her guilty. On May 30, 1431, at approximately 19 years of age, Joan of Arc was tragically burned at the stake in the Old Market Place of Rouen. Her execution aimed to silence her influence and extinguish the hope she represented for the French.

Rehabilitation, Sainthood, and Enduring Legacy

Twenty-five years after her death, in 1456, an inquisitorial court, authorized by Pope Callixtus III and driven by Charles VII's desire to clear his name (which had been associated with a condemned heretic), meticulously re-examined the original trial. This "rehabilitation trial" uncovered significant procedural errors, deceit, and fraud that had characterized the first proceedings. Consequently, the original verdict was officially nullified, and the "stain" on Joan's name was publicly and posthumously erased, declaring her innocent of the charges.

From the moment of her execution, Joan was popularly revered as a martyr. Centuries later, particularly after the French Revolution, her image transcended religious devotion to become a powerful national symbol of France, embodying courage, resilience, and patriotism. Her path to official sainthood began with her beatification in 1909, followed by canonization in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. In 1922, she was officially declared a secondary patron saint of France.

Joan of Arc's extraordinary life and legacy have continued to captivate imaginations across the globe. She remains an immensely popular figure, widely depicted in countless works of literature, painting, sculpture, and other cultural expressions. Throughout history and into the present day, renowned writers, playwrights, filmmakers, artists, and composers have found enduring inspiration in her story, ensuring her place as an icon of unwavering faith and national identity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Joan of Arc

When and where was Joan of Arc born?
Joan of Arc was born around 1412 in Domrémy, a small village in the Vosges region of northeast France.
What was Joan of Arc's role in the Hundred Years' War?
She played a crucial role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years' War by inspiring French forces, most notably by lifting the Siege of Orléans and facilitating the coronation of Charles VII at Reims, significantly boosting French morale and turning the tide of the war.
How did Joan of Arc claim to receive her instructions?
Joan testified that she received divine visions and voices from the Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine, who instructed her to support Charles VII and expel the English from France.
Why was Joan of Arc put on trial and executed?
She was captured by Burgundian forces, sold to the English, and subsequently put on a politically motivated trial for heresy by a pro-English tribunal. The charges included blasphemy, witchcraft, and cross-dressing. She was found guilty and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431.
Was Joan of Arc's trial later reviewed?
Yes, in 1456, an inquisitorial court authorized by Pope Callixtus III investigated the original trial. It was found to be fraudulent and procedurally incorrect, leading to the nullification of the original verdict and the posthumous clearing of her name.
When was Joan of Arc canonized as a saint?
Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and officially canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. She was declared a secondary patron saint of France in 1922.