Joan of Arc
Frontiers in History
Joan's Frontier...
In february of 1429, she spent 11 days traveling to Chinon encountering no hostilities; this journey won the confidence of King Charles. Orleans had been under siege for the past seven month. The soldiers who traveled with Joan didn't know what to make of her. When going into the castle, one of the guards insulted her and then that same guard drowned in the moat. She brought 200 soldiers and supplies for the people inside. She led the army of men and arrived in Orleans on April 29.
Joan of Arc enters Orléans,1887
Earliest extant representation of Joan of Arc, May 1429
Joan pushed the frontier of what was acceptable for a woman when she cut her hair, dressed like a soldier, and led troops into battle.
Joan’s soldiers were different from typical soldiers. They went to church, used no bad language and they weren't allowed to flirt. Some soldiers resented being bossed around. It looked like the French would lose until Joan prayed, rested then returned. The French were victorious and the city of Orleans was free.
First letter to the English, dated March 22,1429, Maid of Heaven
"...I beg of you, upon whatever love you have for the welfare and honor of the King and also all the others here, that you will immediately send and donate for the siege powder, saltpeter, sulfur, projectiles, stout crossbows, and other materials of war. And do well enough in this matter that the work will not drag out for lack of supplies, and that no one can say you were negligent or unwilling. Dear and good friends, may Our Lord protect you. Written at Moulins the ninth day of November. Jehanne"
"King of England...surrender to the Maid who is sent here by God, the King of Heaven, the keys of all the good towns which you have taken and violated in France. She is come here by God’s will to reclaim the blood royal. She is very ready to make peace, if you are willing to grant her satisfaction by abandoning France and paying for what you have held."
Joan letter to the King, 1429, Jeanne d'Arc Pucelle
Charles was king but the English still controlled many parts of France. So Charles made a truce with the Duke of Burgundy, who had allied with the English, that after 15 days the Duke of Burgundy would hand over Paris. Joan knew the Duke was lying so she took her army to Paris on her own. It was an unscueesful attack, Charles retreated and for the first time Joan had failed.
Hundred Years War, 1429
At the next battle, the French were unsuccesful and had to retreat. Joan made sure all of her soldiers escaped before her. and she turned back to the city. Governor of the town had been watching, fearing more English would be involved. He ordered that the city walls shut when most were inside. She fought hard until the English surrounded her and pulled her from her horse. Her brothers fought hard to save her but they couldn't.