The name Joan of Arc or Jeanne d’Arc (in French) had become famous over the years especially inpop culture and stories. Jeanne’s ‘main character’ like life story began in a village which was in war zone and the economy has suffered a great deal under it. Jeanne’s father and mother were peasant farmer. She spent her time helping in the fields.

Joan had her first when she was thirteen, the voices of the saints instructed her to help Charles VII to get the crown and help France win the war against the British. She realized her dream and wanted to meet Charles VII. She was rejected many times but she did not give up and at last met him in 1429.

Once Charles VII determined she could be useful and he had nothing to lose, it was first checked if she was virgin which would confirm her divine origin. Since medieval times, a greatly emphasized was put on the part of ‘virgin maiden’ of Joan and it was used many times to distinguish her from others, a saint was meant to be pure and follow chastity because it was sign of spirituality.  

She first played her role as a morale support in capturing Saint-Jean-le-Blanc which garnered acceptance from the troops and public. Troops following her witnessed continues success. On the other side, British considered her as being of Devil and her visions were evils.

Joan was often seen at the front lines with her banner and was widely accepted to the point she was allowed to give advice to the military but despite it she remained a figurehead to boost morale.

The events took a turn when she was injured and the troop were defeated in Paris, suddenly there was a doubt, was Joan still pure and still favoured by the God? Joan lost the favour of though it was undeniable that Joan helped Charles VII, her help were acknowledged and rewarded.

THE TRIAL OF JOAN AND POPULARITY

Joan was captured on during the siege of Compiègne by Burgundian army. She attempted to escape many times but after every attempt she was transferred to another place.

Charles VII refused to pay the ransom. She was no longer useful to him and even distanced himself from the matter to avoid the burnt.

The British bought her at 10,000 livres tournois and the famous Trial of Joan began; it lasted for months. She was accused with the crime of heresy and she had blasphemed by wearing men’s clothes.

Her days was spent in the prison and rest of the time visiting the court as the English found it much harder to break her with tricky questions. Joan proved herself to be strong and intelligent with her answers. They broke her once but she stood up showed her rebellion by male clothes. It showed her will and at the same time sentenced her to death.

At about the age of nineteen, on 30 May 1431, Joan life ended.

In 1456, motivated by political reasons and some pressure, Charles VII decided order an investigation of Joan’s trial, proving Joan was innocent. Joan became a heroine, feminist and a symbol of French nationalism over the years.

Citation

Lowell, F. C. (1896). Joan of Arc. Boston, New York, etc. Houghton, Mifflin and company

Harrison, K. (2014). Joan of Arc : a life transfigured. New York : Doubleday

Hobbins, D. (2005). Trial of Joan of Arc. Harvard University Press

Chen, K .(June 2010). The Concept of Virginity and Its Representations in Eighteenth-Century English Literature. Wenshan Review of Literature and Culture.

Theatre.(February 2018). Saint Joan in Popular Culture. Artsemerson

(2024) .Why pop culture’s love of Joan of Arc endures. CNN Style

Spencer, E. H. French Women & Feminists in History: A Resource Guide. Library of Congress

(May 2016). Joan of Arc: Three ways the ‘Maid of Orléans’ made history. The History Press