How is it possible that an illiterate girl from a deep province stood before the ruler himself and proved so convincing that she was allowed to command French knights? Joan of Arc claimed that she was doing it by order of God. Though she led France to victory, the Church did not believe her translations. She was burned at the stake as a heretic ...
The first time Joanna heard an angel's voice when she was 12 years old. She was alone in the field then. Archangel Michael spoke to her, and his words sounded so beautiful that the girl's tears ran down her face. In addition to Michael, she also heard St. Catherine and St. Margaret. Heavenly figures gave her a message from God - it is to lead to the liberation of France from the English occupation and help her crown Dolphin (heir to the throne), i.e. Charles VII.
How is it possible that an illiterate girl from deep provinces stood before the ruler himself and proved so convincing that she was allowed to command French knights?
At a time when an illiterate child from the village of Domrémy in Lorraine, surrounded by the lands of hostile Burgundians, was ordered by Providence herself to save her homeland, France, fighting the English and her allies, was close to complete collapse.
Family perturbations
The state was officially ruled by Charles VI Crazy, who had schizophrenia. In fact, his wife, Izabela of Bavaria, who called herself regent, held the helm. She delegated a mistress to her mentally ill husband, and she managed the country herself, despite the dissatisfaction of the people. She did not hide her aversion to her son Charles VII - the formal successor, and at the same time she more and more openly sympathized with the invaders from England, who from 1415 together with the Burgundians occupied northern and a large part of southern France. The invaders found Paris as well as Reims - the traditional place of anointing and coronation of French kings.
In 1420, Izabela of Bavaria finally sided with the occupiers. She paved the way for the throne for the English, agreeing to remove the Valois dynasty from power and a personal union with England. Under the treaty of Troyes, she succeeded Henry V and his heirs instead of Charles VII. Izabela's decision caused a shock among the French. The queen was accused of treason and having an affair with Henryk. In 1422 Charles VI the Mad died. His son should be king, but by contract the crown was formally owned by the English.
The state was officially ruled by Charles VI Crazy, who had schizophrenia. In fact, his wife, Izabela of Bavaria, who called herself regent, held the helm.
Two years later Joan learned from the forces of Providence that she was to help lead the rightful heir to Reims, to anoint him king there. For this, however, the English had to be driven out of the country first.
"It will be worse if you don't send me to him"
At the age of 16, Joanna left her parents - poor farmers - and, accompanied by one of her relatives, went to the nearby town of Vaucouleurs, where the French garrison was stationed. She stood before her commander, demanding an escort to Chinon, to the royal court, and an audience with Charles VII. She claimed to have a mission appointed by God Himself. Knight - Count Robert de Baudricourt - took the girl's words like a joke. He laughed at her and told her to go home.
So it happened, but Joan, who had taken the vows of chastity, was constantly receiving a clear message from above telling her to do the job. A year later, she again stood before the Count de Baudricourt. This time, however, she could not be dismissed.
“In the name of God, you are too reluctant to send me away, for today the noble Dolphin suffered a heavy loss near Orléans; it will be worse with him if you do not send me to him, ”she told the astonished man. This was ready to ignore the word "haunted" teen, but not long after he did hear the news of Charles' defeat near Orléans.
This fact, as well as Joanna's firmness and stubbornness, convinced him to give her an escort who would lead the girl to the presence of the heir to the throne. It happened. Joanna D'Arc in male attire (from then on she wore it until her death) broke through hostile lands and reached Chinon - for an audience with Charles VII.
Commission of inquiry on the trail of Providence
How was a simple girl able to sneak into the favors of the ruler? How did she convince him to give her a knightly retinue and let her take part in the defense of Orleans? This is one of the many secrets of Joanna d'Arc. In any event, she made such a great impression on Dolphin that soon, dressed in a white armor specially ordered by Charles, she left on a white steed with a banner - assisted by armed men - to fight the invader.
How was a simple girl able to sneak into the favors of the ruler? How did she convince him to give her a knightly retinue and let her take part in the defense of Orleans? This is one of the many secrets of Joanna d'Arc.
The mission of Joan of Arc of the Hundred Years' War made a religious war, a war between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. The king, however, did not blindly trust her. He had to be sure that the living symbol would not be tainted quickly by the enemy. Had the English succeeded in accusing Joan of heresy or witchcraft, her presence would have become a heavy burden instead of an asset and would only aggravate his downfall.
Therefore, he ordered Joan's life to date and the theological context of the matter to be examined - is it really for divine reasons, or for satan's suggestions? A specially appointed commission of clergy in Poitiers confirmed the impeccable conduct of the girl, her spiritual and physical purity, humility, simplicity and deep religiousness. Admittedly, she was not able to prejudge the divine driving force, but she acknowledged with a "favorable presumption" that Joan's mission was indeed God's appointment.
Ultimately, the doubts were to be resolved by the fate of the besieged Orléans, whose help was sought by a virgin in armor as bright as the light of Providence. " To doubt her or leave her without suspecting evil it would be to deny the Holy Spirit and become unworthy of God's help "- stated the clergy and sages who investigated the case of Joan.
Maid of Orleans
If the English won, Orléans would face slaughter, rape and robbery. In the spring of 1429, the situation became critical, but the news of Joan, who met Delfin, gave the townspeople and the army hope. For years, a legend has circulated among the people that the state would be liberated from English domination by a simple girl, pure as the Virgin Mary - in addition coming from Lorraine. Just like Joanna!
The arrival of God's chosen one with Karol's meals completely changed the mood. The manner of warfare has also changed. Joan was to demand that the besieged French attack. Without waiting for consents, it set off to fight with its faithful troops, conquering several fortresses previously owned by the English. The next day, when the commander of the defense, John of Orleans, ordered the city gates to be closed and the battle to be avoided, Joan opposed him publicly and called on the people and the army to attack. The gates were opened. The French won another victory - they took over the fortress of Saint Augustin.
Without waiting for approval, she went into battle with the troops that were faithful to her, capturing several strongholds previously owned by the English.
Joanna's legend grew, but so did the frustration of the powerful, who did not like the popularity of this country girl. Joan was not invited to the next war council, and the conservative party won. It was decided to wait for reinforcements, but again the will of the commanders was not reflected in the mood. The army, staring at the virgin, was ready to fight.
On May 7, 1429, the army under the leadership of teenagers struck directly on the headquarters of the English - Les Tourelles. The attack brought a stunning victory - it was also a breakthrough in the entire Hundred Years' War. Joanna herself went into battle. She was wounded, but after treatment she returned to the battlefield. Years later, the virgin's confessor, during her rehabilitation process, claimed that Joan had predicted the course of events. The night before the attack, she talked about getting hurt.
A wonderful rally to Reims
The expulsion of the English from Orleans was a psychological breakthrough. No one dared question Joan's mission anymore. Charles VII entrusted her with command of the army of Prince John II d'Alençon. He also agreed to the girl's suggestion that instead of moving towards closer Paris, the troops should head towards the more distant Reims.
The plan surprised the English, convinced that the French target would be Paris, while Joan simply followed God's will - that the Dolphin, in accordance with an ancient tradition, be anointed and crowned. The march of the army led by teenagers turned into a series of victories. Joanna d'Arc, moreover, announced an instant victory and a poor end for the English. "The Virgin tells you that in eight days she will expel the English from their places on the Loire River by attack or other means:they will be killed, imprisoned or discouraged from fighting" - such a message reached the people of Tournai on June 25, 1429.
The French counteroffensive proceeded swiftly. It was also marked by amazing events. Joan saved the life of Prince d'Alençon at the Battle of Jargeau by warning him of an artillery attack. Alone - although she was hit by a rock on the head, she was not injured. Provisions of Providence were also found in the fact that when the French army went hungry and captured Troyes, local peasants were harvesting beans . It is said that they were persuaded to plant this plant by an itinerant preacher telling the tale of the end of the world.
On June 18, the French completely defeated the English at the Battle of Patay. Losses in the 5,000-strong army of the invaders reached 2,200 killed, wounded and captured. The Burgundians surrendered soon after. On July 16, 1429 Charles VII was crowned King of France at Reims.
How do you turn the tide of war?
The teenage Joanna also became famous during the siege of Paris. She was shot in the leg with a crossbow and still returned to the fight. The attack on Paris, however, was unsuccessful, and the girl was ordered to withdraw. Joanna d'Arc's stunning victories came to an unexpected end shortly after. During the skirmish, she was captured and captured by the Burgundians. After being ransomed by the English king, she was thrown into a dungeon with charges of heresy.
Joanna's shot presented the English with a unique opportunity. It made it possible to reverse the fate of the war - as long as it was a living symbol of the victory and care of Providence over France, and at the same time the divine justification of Charles VII's power. For this purpose, it was necessary to prove that d'Arc was not acting for divine reasons, but for satanic reasons.
Joanna's shot presented the English with a unique opportunity. It made it possible to reverse the fate of the war - as long as it was a living symbol of the victory and care of Providence over France, and at the same time the divine justification of Charles VII's power.
The trial began on January 9, 1431 in Rouen, from where the English ruled over the occupied territories. It was clear from the outset that the proceedings would not be conducted in accordance with the law. Joan was accused of heresy ( she was supposed to blaspheme not only with the story of the voices of saints and the divine mission, but also wearing men's clothes ). She was denied the possibility of appealing to the Pope and the Council of Florence, the protocols of her testimony were changed to her disadvantage, and the conditions of her imprisonment violated the accepted rules.
Many clergymen who took part in the trial were forced to do so by death threats, although there were also collaborators in cassocks. Joanna d'Arc herself, on the first day of the hearing, was to demand that the "French judges" be admitted to the session.
Of course, this did not happen, but the jury quickly began to manipulate the teenager. She was asked if she was in a state of God's grace? On the basis of medieval theology, no one could be sure that Providence gave him the gift of grace . If Joanna had answered yes, she would have been convicted of heresy. If she denied it, she would admit that she was a trickster who had no power and no sign from God.
Guilt and punishment
The trap seemed hopeless, but the judges were amazed at what they heard from the mouth of a girl who, after all, could not write or read. Joanna explained:"if I am not in God's grace, God can give it to me, and if I am, God can keep me in it" . Thus, it knocked out the weapon of the "scribes".
Eventually, unable to prove Joanna's guilt, the court began to scare her with hell . Just before beheaded by the executioner (because she was sentenced to do so), the girl was ordered to sign a document that was supposed to free her from the torment of hell. She signed it as she could - with the sign of the cross. Thus, she unconsciously pleaded guilty. The death penalty was commuted to life imprisonment. Admitting heresy was more beneficial to the English occupiers - it "proved" that Charles VII's rule was established with the support of the powers of hell.
On May 30, 1431, she was burned at the stake. At the time of her death, she was wearing a white gown.
Joanna d'Arc's earthly life came to an end shortly thereafter. When she was flooded with tears, she was visited by a bishop. The clergyman stood before the prisoner when he heard that she was again blaspheming - she put on her men's clothes again. During the visit, a crying Joanna d'Arc confirmed that she still heard the voices of non-heavenly beings. When asked if she was convinced they were coming to God, she nodded.
On May 30, 1431, she was burned at the stake. At the time of her death, she was wearing a white gown. According to witnesses, she repeated the name of Jesus during the execution, staring at the crucifix. After her death, the English burned her remains again, so as to prevent the people from gathering the relics. Her ashes were thrown into the Seine.
Haunted or naive?
Several dozen years later, after the end of the Hundred Years' War, the Catholic Church, on the order of Pope Callixtus III, annulled the proceedings, which resulted in the death of Joan. Her re-trial was assisted by clergymen from all over Europe. Over 100 witnesses were heard. Ultimately, the court found Joanna d'Arc innocent. She was canonized on May 16, 1920.
Who was Joanna d'Arc? For believers, she was a mystic and a saint. Unbelievers will look for other justifications for the phenomenon of this ordinary girl. Did the beautiful voices of saints she heard really come from outside this world, or were they the result of a mental illness - schizophrenia? This is an "obvious" thesis for many who reject the metaphysical aspect of the story of the Virgin of Orleans. And yet there is no evidence of her madness, there is evidence of strength of character - consistency, courage, persuasion and mental clarity, brilliance, awareness - both on the battlefield and in court.
Did she really hear the voices of God, or did she just tell herself? Or maybe she was just an ordinary girl who believed very much in her mission? It is possible that she knew the folklore stories that a virgin indicated by Providence would free France and felt obliged to carry out this task. Maybe a country on the brink of catastrophe needed a "savior" and she fit the role perfectly?
So, did the divine messenger Joan of Arc unconsciously create the environment in which she lived? To some extent, for sure - yes. After all, had it been ignored, its mission would never have been realized. It was the others who saw in it a metaphysical element that gave them at least a substitute for hope. You could say that in the situation that France was in, if it weren't for Joan of Arc, we would have to… invent her.