Biography Of Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was a French heroine. She is also a Roman Catholic saint. She was born in obscurity to a peasant household and traveled to the Dauphin of France to advise him to reclaim the French throne. Joan of Arc was among the French troops at the siege of Orleans. She rose to prominence when the siege was lifted nine days later. Later, she was captured and burned at her stake for heresy. She was right. Seven years later, France was reunited with Charles, the English were defeated, and she was crowned King.

Early Life

Joan of Arc was the child of peasant farmers in France, 1412 Domremy. Legend has it that Joan of Arc was born under an auspicious sign, which is believed to have been a prediction of national victory. What is certain is that her family was poor and that her region was affected by the long conflict between England & France.

We only have one life and live it as much as we believe we should. To give up what you have and live without belief is worse than death.

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was sensitive from an early age and possessed a religious temperament. Friends say that Joan of Arc was deeply committed to God and the Blessed Mary.

She began having mystical visions at the age of 13 She claimed that she experienced visions in which she heard God calling her to revive the French nation. Joan of Arc later testified that these visions felt as real as seeing another person. Visions often came with a light and the presence of saints like St Michael or St Catherine.

“I was thirteen years old when I received guidance and help from a voice from God. This Voice was the first time I heard it. It was midday in the garden of my father. From Joan of Arc’s trial transcript. (2)

Joan of Arc was made more religious by these visions. She was known to go to confession often and would run to church whenever she heard Mass bells.

Joan initially did not share her visions or inner commands with others. However, in May 1428 her divine messages led her to seek out Charles de Ponthieu, an ineffective leader and relative weaker of the French.

France was divided at the time Joan was born. There was a lack of national unity. In 1415 King Henry VIII of England invaded France and defeated its army at Agincourt. The country was weakened and divided by this famous victory over the French nobility. The major divisions were between the Dauphins, and English-supporting Burgundians.

Under Charles de Ponthieu the French were hapless and without a leader. Charles was impressed by Joan of Arc’s passion and conviction when she visited the court. It is remarkable that this 17-year-old peasant girl was given command of an army and allowed their leadership of them into battle.

“I bring you the news from God that our Lord will restore your kingdom. He will crown you at Reims and drive out your enemies. This is God’s messenger. Put me to work and I will take down Orleans.

Joan of Arc, “In her own Words”, page 21

Joan of Arc led the French army to victory at Troyes, Patay, and Orleans within a year. Other towns were liberated from English rule, and it enabled a triumphal entrance into Dauphin to the coronation ceremony of King Charles VII on 17th July 1429.

Joan of Arc was awarded noble status for her leadership and exploits. Joan of Arc won the admiration of French soldiers, who regard her as an almost mythical leader. Joan was captured at Compiegne by the Burgundians and sold to the English a year later. The trial of Joan is well documented and gives insight into her character as well as her destiny.

Joan of Arc’s interrogation

English clergymen and French clergymen decided to bring her on trial for witchcraft, and more than 60 other charges. It was in many ways a show trial, with the outcome cleverly orchestrated. Pierre Cauchon, a strong supporter of the British and a fierce critic of Joan of Arc’s revival of French pride, was the leading investigator in the church. Another interpretation suggests that Cauchon felt obligated to save Joan of Arc’s immortal soul from certain damnation because she believed so. Joan’s strong character is revealed in the conversation with Cauchon. She even warned the Bishop about making false judgments.

“You claim that you are my judge. I don’t know if you are. You must be careful not to judge me incorrectly. Otherwise, you could end up in serious trouble. You are warned, and if God punishes me,  meI will have done my duty by telling you

Joan was very tested during the trial. Although the trial was initially held in public, Joan’s responses were sharper than her prosecutors anticipated. Joan of Arc explained how her answers challenged the authority of church authorities.

“They don’t order me to disobey Church, but God must first be served.”

She was able to hold her own during cross-examination and provided strong rebuttals foto he the provocative questions. Her straightforward answers and modest dedemeanoron her public sympathy. The prosecution tried to convince her to blaspheme. She was asked:

The questions Trial – “Do you know if God has saved you?”

“If I’m not, God may place me there; and if I’m, God may keep me. If I didn’t have the grace of God, I would be the most miserable person in the world. If I was in sin, would you believe that the Voice would reach me? Joan of Arc (2)

The trial was eventually closed behind closed doors. Joan was allegedly threatened with torture but there is no evidence that she was tortured.

Joan was found guilty of the crime and sentenced to death by incineration at the stake. Joan finally gave in to the overwhelming pressure and admitted her guilt.

She regained strength a week later and retracted her confession. The penalty of execution by firing was re-rein forceditness tells us that she fought through her ordeal with dignity. Over 10,000 people attended her burning execution. Her ashes were then scattered in the Seine. According to one legend, her heart was unaffected by the fire.

Twenty-six years, the English drove Rouen from Rouen. In a later inquiry, she was found to have been innocent and was made a martyr. In 1920, she was made a saint and is still the patron saint of France.

In her 19-year-old life, Joan of Arc accomplished remarkable feats. Her life was marked by her religious devotion and great courage. This helped to change the course of french history.

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