This national heroine France is known far beyond the borders of her country, despite more than six centuries having passed since her death. In just a couple of months, this fragile girl was able to dramatically turn around the history of her own state, which was on the brink of destruction. Nobody knew who Joan of Arc was then, but she stood in full height and declared that it was time to get rid of many years of English domination.
There was practically nothing behind her: no connections, no influential patrons, no army of fans. She had only an impeccable reputation on her side, Endless love to his people, a fearless heart and unconditional confidence in own rightness. Let's figure out together who this sweet girl was before fate threw her into the deep end popular uprising and how her life turned out.
The difficult Joan of Arc: biography of the most mystical maiden of the Hundred Years War
According to modern school textbooks, then this girl really played a colossal role in the rise of the entire French people to fight the British occupiers. It is believed that the deepest confidence of an ordinary peasant woman from a small village on the border of Lorraine and Champagne directly influenced the rise morale troops. However, is this true and are there other options?
There is an opinion that from early childhood all kinds of saints and angels began to appear to Jeanne, who guided her on the path of struggle and rebellion. Many believe that she was an extraordinary psychic, possessed incredible abilities, and therefore had an unusually significant influence on powerful of the world this. But why then didn’t these talents save her from the fire?
Own opinion about the life story of Joan of Arc was the notorious Cardinal Mazarin, whose figure is perfectly illuminated by the writer Dumas in the novel about the three musketeers “Twenty Years Later”. He believed that all the hype around the Virgin of Orleans was deliberately raised. Allegedly, all this was specially invented by King Charles VII so that the people, impressed by the fables, would go where they needed to go - to overthrow the invaders.
What does Joan of Orleans mean for France?
In order to better understand the fate of the girl who was voluntarily or forcibly made into a hero, it is worth understanding what the situation was like in the country at that time. At the end of the thirties of the fourteenth century, the English ruler Edward III from the Plantagenet family suddenly announced his claims to the throne of France. He motivated this by his own origin. Fighting walked with with varying success, but by the beginning of the fifteenth century the situation of the French had worsened to an extreme degree.
The internal political situation in England “settled down”, as King Henry V of Lancaster came to power and immediately began a massive expansion to the mainland. Or rather, the formal regent Duke of Bedford did this instead, since the ruler at that time was barely nine months old. The lion's share French lands were captured by the British, and on the other they were raging internal enemies- Armagnacs and Bourguignons.
In October of the fifteenth year, the battle of Agincourt decided further direction: Duke of Burgundy John (Jean) the Fearless captured Paris, driving out the unfortunate Dauphin (heir) Charles, entered into a pact with England and began to rule under the name of the Mad King Charles VI of Valois. It remained to connect the controlled northern territories with the southern ones, but Orleans stood in the way, which became a real stumbling block. The defenders fought like lions, but surrounded by enemies, the outcome of the battle was known in advance. At this moment in the historical arena, at just the right time, information appeared about Joan of Arc - the holy virgin sent by heaven to save France and give the crown to the rightful heir.
Then everything was a matter of technique: at the head large number Jeanne's troops are sent to Orleans and in two weeks she does what men previously could not do in a hundred years. Along the way, well-defended cities surrendered to her mercy, because the fame of what Joan of Arc had done and who she was ran far ahead of her.
Subsequently, Napoleon Bonaparte said that this particular girl turned out to be much more brilliant than many men in the aspect of battles, and certainly understood something about the tactics and strategy of combat. The day the blockade of Orleans was lifted went down in the history of the country - May 8 became national holiday. For what Joan of Arc was burned, she was glorified for the same thing - such an irony of fate. However, no one can escape from their destiny. Her life was cut short at nineteen, but her merits would have been enough for ten healthy ones, happy with life, men.
Birth and early years of the holy virgin
The origin of this amazing girl, like her place of birth, is shrouded in mystery. Most likely, it will no longer be possible to get to the bottom of the truth, but you can still try to isolate the truth from scattered evidence. According to one version, she came from quite wealthy peasants that lived in a picturesque village with the poetic name Domremy near the border with Lorraine. According to other sources, she was a “princess of the blood” - a hereditary noblewoman from an impoverished family. Apparently, the family had a family coat of arms, since in the twenty-ninth year she took part in a knightly tournament, which was impossible for a commoner.
Little is known for certain: the girl’s father, Jacques d’Arc, was the foreman (headman) of the Vaucouleurs district and served as commandant of the fortress, and also had several fairly large land plots. He had a good income and in due time he married Isabella de Wouton, who was nicknamed Rome because of her trip to the Eternal City - Rome. It is traditionally believed that the future heroine was born in 1412. However, when canonizing her, Pius X at the beginning of the twentieth century recorded her year of birth as 1408–1409. As a child, the baby was called Jeanette, but immediately after birth, strange rumors spread in the area. They said that the baby was the daughter of Isabella of Bavaria and her lover Louis of Orleans, sibling her own husband.
Youth of a warrior
In short, Joan of Arc, according to most historians and writers, spent her childhood in a calm rural environment. She tended cows, did housework, helped her mother in the kitchen and embroidered by candlelight for long hours. winter evenings. The German writer Maria Josepha Kruck von Poturzin, in her book about the girl’s feat, said that little Jeannette never lost a single animal, and birds flew and sat on her arms and shoulders. It looks like a beautiful, pre-conceived legend.
She probably got a good deal home education. The Duke of Alençon, as well as King Charles VII himself, who was placed on the throne through her efforts, noted her perfect knowledge of court etiquette, games popular among the nobility, and impeccable possession of weapons. An ordinary peasant girl could hardly have such talents. At the age of thirteen (Jewish adulthood), angels first appeared to Jeannette. Sometimes the “ghosts” of Margaret of Antioch, Archangel Michael and Catherine of Alexandria simply talked to her, and at other times she even saw saints. They told the warrior that she must remove the encirclement from Orleans and place the “correct” Dauphin on the throne.
Subsequently, the accusation brought against her by the Holy Inquisition was also based on this. The Jesuit brothers compiled whole list of many points, some of which should be considered.
- Jeanne's visions are most likely fiction or hallucinations. If they are real, they most likely come from the devil, and not from God.
- The angel placing the crown on the head of the Dauphin in the visions is a clear attack on his high rank.
- The girl constantly violates God's law when she wears men's clothes.
- Having abandoned her elderly mother and father, she left her father's house, thereby breaking the commandment to honor her parents.
- The statement that she would definitely go to heaven, due to her virginity, was regarded as a disregard for the foundations of faith.
- The attempt to jump from the Beaurevoir Tower is a clear attempt to commit suicide.
The moment of conviction was still far away. At the age of sixteen, Jeanne appeared before the bright eyes of Robert de Baudricourt, captain of the city of Vaucouleurs. She announced her mission, but in response she received sincere laughter - she was booed. The girl was forced to return to her native land. But a year later she decided to try again.
Surprised by such persistence, the captain listened, and when the peasant woman’s prophecy about the Battle of the Herrings (Battle of Rouvray) near the walls of Orleans came true, he gave her a man’s dress, supplied her with soldiers to accompany her and sent her with a blessing to the Chinon castle near the Vienne River - official residence Dauphine Karla. Just at this time, Jeannette had two bosom friends who would walk side by side throughout her short and difficult journey: knights Bertrand de Poulangy and Jean de Nuyonpont (de Metz).
Guided by God for the Good of France
The travelers managed to complete their long journey from their native Domremy to Chinon in just eleven days, despite the fact that it ran through lands captured by the Burgundians. At the beginning of March 1929, the “delegation” entered the heir’s castle.
Interesting
While still on the road, stopping in Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, Jeanne wrote to the Dauphin that she recognized him from a thousand. Then Karl decided to carry out a test: he placed one of his close associates on his throne, and he himself stood among a motley crowd of courtiers. But the girl immediately pointed to him, came up and spoke.
Military campaign, victory and coronation of a new ruler
How exactly and why Joan of Arc recognized the man is not known for certain. How an ordinary peasant woman could have been allowed to have an audience with him is the same, but historians describe their conversation in sufficient detail. The girl said that she was sent by Heaven itself for liberation great France from the occupiers, so he must send troops with her. However, her authority was not so high that she would simply be given an entire army at her disposal, given that she was female in a society of male dominance.
First of all, she was sent for an examination, where she was tested for virginity in the presence of the queen. Therefore, the conversation with the girl was conducted by theologians - Jesuit fathers. Everything spoke of the innocence of her reputation and the truthfulness of her words, so Karl decided to allocate soldiers and even make her a military commander, despite generally accepted standards of that time (ban on women wearing armor). Snow-white armor was made for Jeannette, which emphasized her innocence. A banner with lilies and the inscription “Jesus Mary” was specially made, as well as a banner with the image of God the Father. The sword given to Jeanne, according to legend, belonged to Charlemagne himself.
At the end of April, the true war of Joan of Arc began Maid of Orleans: with a small detachment she takes the first line - the fortress of Saint-Loup, and by the eighth of May the English invaders lift the siege, frightened by her victories. Since then, this date has become significant for the city and all of France. On June 12 of the same year, she took the Jargeau fortress on the Loire, then Meun-sur-Loire and Beaugency. Occurred on the eighteenth decisive battle at Pathé, after which the British occupiers were forced to capitulate.
Then she returns to Chinon to summon the Dauphin to anointing in Reims, the traditional place for coronation. Along the way, the cities themselves opened their gates to welcome the future king and the brave warrior. On July 17, 1429, the coronation took place according to all the rules, and the girl was awarded her own coat of arms with the image of a white lily - a symbol of purity and virginity. The girl urged Charles to immediately march on the capital, but he hesitated, and by September he completely disbanded the army to go home for the winter.
Accusing a girl of witchcraft
By that time, Joan of Arc had become famous throughout France. Everyone knew what kind of girl she was, but there were also plenty of dissatisfied people, especially those who benefited from the British occupation. In the spring of 1430 it became again actual problem the capture of Paris, troops were convened, but the aristocrats bribed by Britain constantly prevented the warrior from developing into full power. On the twenty-third of May they raise the bridge, after which the girl is captured by the Burgundians, and the newly-minted king makes absolutely no attempts to save her - such is the gratitude of those in power to the “anointed of God.”
Jeanne was sold to the British for ten thousand livres in gold, and at the end of November she was already taken to Rouen, where she was accused of witchcraft. The attacks came from the church, but the girl was kept in a military dungeon under the guard of imperial soldiers. It was clear to everyone why Joan of Arc was captured and why she was executed in the end: she was considered the inspirer of the struggle, its symbol.
However, it turned out that fabricating a case is not so simple. The girl was courageous, answered questions sensibly, did not give in to intimidation and threats, did not react to torture, and did not admit her guilt at all. The inquisitors understood that if the accused herself did not confess, then by executing her they would elevate her to the level of a martyr heroine. Therefore, it was decided to base it on what did not require its confirmation. At the first hearing, Zhanna was acquitted, but was never released. Then they took away her clothes and left only a man's dress. After the acquittal, it already looked like a relapse, and that was all the inquisitors needed.
They frightened her with a fire, replaced the papers for her signature, and did everything to make the verdict legal. This indicates that the girl still did not know how to read and write. On official documents Church has a cross instead of a signature. On the thirtieth of May 1431, a cart containing a virgin entered the main square Rouen, where Joan of Arc was executed. On her head she wore a paper crown with inscriptions about apostasy and heresy. As a cross, she received two twigs tied with a rope, and the fire was lit. Several times she shouted out the name of the Son of God - Jesus, and died, and her ashes were scattered over the Seine.
Posthumous rehabilitation
The years of Joan of Arc, the description of which can impress even the most inveterate skeptics, were not in vain. The occupiers were never able to recover from such a crushing blow as it dealt. In the autumn of 1935, France finally made peace with Burgundy by concluding the Alliance of Arras against the British. The war was completely completed only in 1953, but ultimately the country gained complete independence. Immediately after the end of hostilities in Normandy, in 52, Charles VII, repenting, ordered all the papers on the executed maiden to be raised and the authenticity of the accusations investigated. Many violations were found, despite the passage of time.
In the fifty-fifth year, Pope Calixtus III initiated the acquittal process and even appointed three observers. Meetings were held in Rouen, Paris and Orleans. We questioned more than a hundred witnesses, recorded many sheets of their testimony, and in the summer next year the verdict was read out - each accusation was completely refuted by eyewitness testimony. The girl's good name was restored, her parents were given due honors, and the old sentence was publicly torn apart. At the dawn of the twentieth century, Pope Pius X decided to declare Joan blessed and canonize him, which he successfully did on May sixteenth, 1921.
An alternative version of life after the burning and the memory of the heroine of France
However, many believe that in reality everything was different. It is known that the “Book of Poitiers” (the interrogation protocols of Jeanne) has not survived, and it can only be judged by references to it from the protocols of two courts - first the inquisition, and then the acquittal. The death sentence itself, according to which the maiden was burned, was also not found, but this is a moot point. After all, it is known that it was torn and destroyed in front of a crowd of onlookers.
There are versions that she was never burned, and after four years of imprisonment she came out of prison and immediately married Robert des Armoises under the name of Jeanne du Lys. According to other rumors, the inquisitors burned another woman who was similar in appearance. There is a document that indicates the allocation of two hundred livres from Orleans “for the good service rendered to the city during the siege,” but it is hardly possible to get to the bottom of the truth, and there were plenty of false prophets and adventurers at all times.
The asteroid discovered at the end of the nineteenth century was named after the heroine: (127) Jeanne. In the twentieth century, many squares and streets were named after her, and monuments to the great warrior can be found throughout the country. Poets, artists, writers, directors and other artists often turn to the theme of her existence and feat, among them Vireille de Gravier, Symphorien Champier, Mark Twain, Robert Southey, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Luc Besson, Clémence Poésy and many others.
- Joan of Arc, whose biography the whole world knows and about which much is not known reliably. There is controversy surrounding her birth: some are inclined to think that she is the illegitimate daughter of a high-ranking courtier; They also argue about her death: there is a point of view that it was not Jeanne who was burned - as if she was secretly taken away on the eve of her execution.
But be that as it may, the most mysterious thing is not birth and death, but its main mission: the salvation of France at the command of God himself. How else can one explain the incomprehensible courage of a young village girl in those days, who was ordered not to take a step further than the kitchen?
Events related to Jeanne took place in the endless era. France was on the verge of political destruction: against the backdrop of complete anarchy of the legitimate king (he suffered from deep madness), both political groups and England itself, represented by the king, fought for control over the country. The legitimate heir to the French throne, Dauphin Charles, barely managed to escape by fleeing to the south of the country. The subjugation of France was successfully completed by the British - the path to complete victory was blocked only by the brave city of Orleans, which was under siege, but still held out.
And in this most difficult time for the country, Joan of Arc appears on the forefront of History. She herself said that already at the age of 13 she heard the voices of the celestials who revealed to her her appointment as the savior of the king and the kingdom. But only at the age of 17 did she first announce this mission publicly. A year later, at the age of 18, they finally believed her, and Jeanne was able to go to the king, accompanied by a detachment of soldiers and, dressed in men's clothing, which she wore until her death. After numerous lengthy checks, the Dauphin Charles decided to entrust Jeanne with the post of commander-in-chief of the army. Having received a military badge supreme authority banner and banner, armor and sword of Charlemagne himself, she headed the army towards Orleans.
As a messenger of God, Jeanne aroused delight and admiration among the soldiers and military leaders - everyone experienced extraordinary inspiration, completely confident in God's help. And the miracle happened: Jeanne and her army completed the almost impossible task of liberating Orleans in 4 days - the British lifted the siege of the city. Until now, in Orleans, May 8th is celebrated as the most main holiday: France remembers on this day its savior - the Virgin of Orleans.
The Loire River, with strategically important castles located on its banks, was also under the control of the British. By June 18, the enemies were finished: the English army suffered a crushing defeat in battles with French army, led by Joan of Arc.
The path to Reims, where the anointing of the Dauphin Charles was to take place, lay wide and free for the future king: every city along this path happily opened its gates to meet Charles and his army. The nation rallied together, an unprecedented rise in the national spirit gave rise to an extraordinary thirst for the revival of the country, and Jeanne urged the king to take advantage of the situation and march on Paris. However, the intrigues of envious people took their toll, and military operations were hampered by the king’s conflicting orders. And on May 23, 1430, as a result of betrayal, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians, allies of England. King Charles VII, who owed so much to Joan, did not lift a finger to save her. The British, who bought Joan for 10,000 livres in gold, took her to Rouen.
The indictment process of the English Inquisition and the vile condemnation of Jeanne to be burned alive are evidence of the black ingratitude of France and the unprincipled political order of England.
The girl’s amazing courage, her confidence in her answers and strong will were not broken, despite the terrible conditions of detention and the threat of torture.
Dying at the stake, she turned to Jesus. France still believes today that Joan is exactly where Jesus is - in Heaven.
25 years after the burning of the Virgin of Orleans, King Charles VII, having achieved the complete restoration of France as a state, remembered Joan (apparently his conscience had awakened). A new trial was ordered. Her mother, relatives and numerous residents of her native places, as well as soldiers from her army, were still alive. The unanimous testimony of witnesses refuted every point of the Inquisition's accusation of Joan's heretical errors. The indictment against the national heroine was decided to be considered invalid, her good name was restored. And almost 500 years later Catholic Church Canonized the Virgin of Orleans, recognizing her as a saint.
The sacrificial image of Joan of Arc inspired many women and men to perform feats in the name of a high goal, but each of them carried his cross himself...
Name: Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)
State: France
Field of activity: Army, religion, politics
Greatest Achievement: She became the national heroine of France, thanks to the fact that she was a symbol of the unity of the troops, and was one of the commanders in the Hundred Years' War.
Puppet French history, Joan of Arc went to war to free her country from English invaders in the 15th century. Hearing the divine call, she helped Charles VII ascend to the French throne. She paid dearly for her beliefs - she was condemned as a heretic and burned alive in Rouen in 1431.
Very pious girl
Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in Domremy, in Lorraine, into a family of wealthy peasants. She was very pious, went to church every Saturday and gave alms to the poor. While she was growing up, . King Edward III of England claimed the throne of France under the terms of the Treaty of Troyes, but the French nobility opposed it and wanted the crown to return to the son of the late Charles VI, the future Charles VII, then still the Dauphin.
Thus, the French kingdom was divided between the English and Burgundians, on the one hand, and those who remained loyal to the Dauphin Charles, on the other. At twelve or thirteen years old, voices appeared to Jeanne in the garden. She said that she was very scared when she heard them for the first time. Voices from heaven ordered the Dauphin to be restored to the throne and France freed from the English. She resisted for four years before submitting to these voices.
Mission of Joan of Arc
Obeying the angelic voices, Jeanne goes to Vaucouleurs to meet with the local captain, Robert de Baudricourt. She convinces him to arrange an audience for her with the Dauphin. The prophecy (which many have heard of) said that a virgin from Lorraine was coming who would save lost kingdom. Joan of Arc travels to Chinon to meet the future Charles VII.
According to legend, he changed into ordinary clothes and hid among the courtiers, placing one of them on the throne, but she recognized him in the crowd. She talks about the voices she hears. The incredulous Charles first arranged a test of Jeanne's virginity, then in Poitiers she was interrogated by theologians. There she predicted four events: the British would lift the siege of Orleans, Charles would be crowned in Reims, Paris would return to power French king and finally, the Duke of Orleans will return from English captivity. Charles agrees to give Jeanne an army to free Orleans from the hands of the British.
And so Jeanne, who was christened the Virgin, went to Orleans in armor and with a sword. She sent a message to the English about her approach and ordered them to leave Orleans. The British refused. They saw her as a witch, a creature of the devil. For her own army, Jeanne, led by her faith, became God's messenger, inspiring desperate soldiers. On the night of May 7–14, 1429, Joan defeated the English, and the news spread throughout France. She marched towards Reims, forcing every city on her way, either voluntarily or by force, to submit to her will. On July 17, 1429, Charles was crowned in the main cathedral of Reims in the presence of Joan and received the name Charles VII. Joan of Arc completed half of her mission. He still had to enter Paris.
Captivity, trial and execution of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc then attempted to liberate Paris with the king's blessing. But this attempt ended in failure. On May 23, 1430, in Compiegne, the Burgundians captured her and sold her to the English for 10,000 livres. She was taken to Rouen to stand trial and accused of heresy. It was important for the British to discredit her because her charisma gave hope to the French people.
The Virgin Joan appeared in Rouen before a tribunal of 40 people presided over by Pierre Cauchon, bishop of Beauvais and a supporter of the British. The first public meeting took place on February 21, 1431 in the royal chapel of Rouen Castle. On May 24, Joan of Arc renounced all her “errors” and admitted her sins. On May 30, 1431, she was burned alive in the Old Market Square in Rouen. Until the last moment, King Charles VII did not try to stand up for her, although she helped him ascend the throne. Twenty-five years later the second legal proceedings, organized by Charles VII at the request of Joan's mother and Pope Calixtus III, the sentence was overturned and Joan of Arc was rehabilitated. In 1920, Pope Benedict XV canonized the Virgin of Orleans.
Conclusion
Joan of Arc, supported by her faith, did not hesitate to break the conventions of her time and fought the English army to fulfill her mission. Her life story is embellished in places, but she herself occupies one of the main places in the history of France. Tragic fate and the mystery that shrouds her life have inspired many writers (Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, Jean Anouilh), directors (Victor Flemming, Roberto Rossellini, Luc Besson) and musicians (Verdi, Tchaikovsky).
Important dates in the life of Joan of Arc
1412, January 6 - birth of Joan of Arc
The heroine of France, Joan of Arc, nicknamed the Virgin, was born in Domremy. According to her, at the age of 13 she heard voices that told her to liberate France during Hundred Years' War from the English and their allies from Burgundy. Having taken the side of Charles VII (1428), liberating Orleans from English oppression (May 1429) and winning victories one after another, she opened the road to Reims, where she placed the king on the throne (July 1429). Captured by the Burgundians at the gates of Compiegne, she was sold to the English, declared a heretic, and burned alive in Rouen on May 29, 1431. Rehabilitated by Charles VII, she was declared beatified in 1909, canonized in 1920, and her feast day is celebrated on May 8th.
1425 - At the age of thirteen, she begins to hear voices
She hears voices for the first time. She says that these voices come from God, St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Catherine and St. Margaret.
1429, April 29 - Joan of Arc enters Orleans
The young maiden from Lorraine, Joan of Arc, who claimed that she was sent by God (to proclaim the legitimacy of Charles and expel the English from the kingdom), enters Orleans at the head of the army. The city had been besieged by the British since October 1428. The Last Army Charles VII would liberate Orléans on May 8, 1429, and Joan of Arc would lead Charles VII to his coronation at Reims on July 17, 1429. Then he can take back his country and royalty.
1429, July 14 - Coronation of Charles VII
Charles VII is crowned at Reims Cathedral in the presence of Joan of Arc.
1430, May 23 - Joan of Arc was arrested in Compiegne
Joan of Arc, who played the role a year earlier decisive role in the liberation of Orleans, was captured by Jean Luxembourg, a mercenary who served the Duke of Burgundy, and sold to the British for 10,000 livres. She was taken to the court of the Inquisition in Rouen, tried for heresy without being given a defense lawyer, and burned alive in 1431. In 1456 she was rehabilitated.
Biography and episodes of life Joan of Arc. When born and died Joan of Arc , memorable places and dates important events her life. Saint Quotes, images and videos.
Years of life of Joan of Arc:
born 6 January 1412, died 30 May 1431
Epitaph
"Listen, in the night -
France cries:
Come again and save me, meek martyr
Zhanna!
From the prayer of Saint Therese of Lisieux
Biography
The name of Joan of Arc, condemned as a heretic and subsequently canonized, is dear to the heart of any Frenchman as a symbol of freedom and justice. Moreover bright Star Joan from her ascension into the heavens to martyr's crown shone for less than two years. There are many legends around this historical figure; there is no certainty even about the correct year of Jeanne’s birth. But one thing is known for sure: the young inexperienced girl committed in her short life something that seemed impossible.
Zhanna was born into a family of either wealthy peasants or impoverished nobles - historians have disagreements on this matter. At the age of 13, she first heard voices and saw saints who told her that her destiny was to lead an army and drive out the English invaders from native land. At the age of 16, Jeanne went to the captain of the city of Vaucouleurs, who laughed at her. But the girl did not give up, and in the end she was assigned a detachment to travel to Chinon, where the uncrowned Dauphin Charles was at that time.
Having achieved an audience with the Dauphin, Jeanne passed all the tests that were prepared to test her, and eventually convinced the Dauphin to transfer command of the troops to her. This in itself was a miracle. But others soon followed: with a small detachment, Jeanne liberated Orleans from the siege of the British in 4 days, while the French commanders could not cope with this for many months. After this victory, Jeanne received the nickname “Maid of Orleans” and moved towards Patay, winning one victory after another. IN last battle The British troops were defeated, and Jeanne summoned the Dauphin to Reims for the coronation.
“Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles VII”, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1854
The campaign to Reims was called “bloodless”: the presence of Jeanne convinced the inhabitants of the cities on whose side God was on. But after the coronation, the wary and cautious Karl did not allow Jeanne to develop her success. The courtiers also did not favor the Maid of Orleans. Finally, during the siege of Compiegne, Jeanne was betrayed by her own comrades, captured by the Burgundians and sold to the British for 10,000 gold livres.
The trial of Joan of Arc officially accused her of having relations with the devil, but was paid entirely from English pockets. In order to prevent her from receiving the crown of a martyr, they tried to get Jeanne to admit guilt, but to no avail. In the end, Jeanne's signature on the relevant document was obtained fraudulently, and the Maid of Orleans was sentenced to be burned alive.
The Hundred Years' War ended 22 years after Joan's execution. The Maid of Orleans, having actually organized the anointing of the French king to the throne, dealt too serious a blow to the claims of England. Immediately after the end of the war, Charles VII ordered the collection of all materials trial and investigate the case again. Joan of Arc was completely acquitted, and more than four centuries later she was canonized.
“Joan of Arc” by John Everett Millais, 1865
Life line
January 6, 1412 Date of birth of Joan of Arc.
1425 Appearances of the saints to Joan.
March 1429 Arrival in Chinon and audience with the Dauphin Charles.
May 1429 The first victory of Joan of Arc and the lifting of the siege of Orleans.
June 1429 A rapid series of victories and complete destruction English troops at the Battle of Pat.
July 1429 Presence at the solemn confirmation of Charles in Reims.
September 1429 Dissolution of Joan's army.
May 1430 Captivity of Joan of Arc by the Burgundians.
November-December 1430 Transporting Jeanne to Rouen.
21 February 1431 The trial of Joan of Arc begins.
30 May 1431 Date of death of Joan of Arc.
1455 Start of retrial.
1456 Acquittal of Joan of Arc on all counts of the previous indictment.
May 16, 1920 Canonization of Joan of Arc.
Memorable places
1. The house in Domremy, where Jeanne was born and lived, is now a museum.
2. Chinon, where Jeanne met King Charles.
3. Orleans, where Jeanne won her first victory.
4. The site of the Battle of Pat, in which Joan's army defeated the British.
5. Reims Cathedral, the traditional place of coronation of French monarchs, where the Dauphin Charles was anointed in the presence of Joan.
6. Compiegne, where Joan was captured.
7. Tower of Joan of Arc in Rouen, former part Rouen Castle, where, according to legend, Joan was kept during her trial.
8. House No. 102 on the street. Joan of Arc, in the courtyard of which are the remains of the foundation of the Tower of the Virgin, where Joan was actually kept.
9. Monument and church at the site of the execution of Joan of Arc on the Old Market Square in Rouen.
Episodes of life
Belief in Joan of Arc was based largely on a prophecy that said that the maiden would save France. After her appearance at the Dauphin Charles, the latter checked her different ways, but Jeanne really turned out to be a girl, and besides, she recognized Charles, who had placed another person on the throne and was mingling among the crowd of courtiers.
Joan herself never used the surname “d’Arc” and called herself only “Jeanne the Virgin.” There is an opinion that the British contributed to the spread of the name “Joan of Arc” because of its consonance with the word “dark” - “dark”.
Jeanne preferred to wear men's clothing because it was more comfortable in battle and less embarrassing to her male companions. IN medieval France it was considered grave sin, And special commission theologians from Poitiers gave the Maid of Orleans special permission to do this. Nevertheless, wearing men's clothing appeared as one of the charges proving Jeanne's connection with the devil.
Monument by Maxime Real del Sarte at the site of the execution of Joan of Arc
Testaments
“For God to grant victory, soldiers must fight.”
“We will get peace only at the end of the spear.”
Documentary " Controversial History Joan of Arc. Part I"
Condolences
“Jeanne embodied the Spirit of Patriotism, became its personification, its living, visible and tangible image.<...>
Love, Mercy, Valor, War, Peace, Poetry, Music - for all this you can find many symbols, all this can be represented in images of any gender and age. But a fragile, slender girl in the prime of her first youth, with the crown of a martyr on her brow, with a sword in her hand, with which she cut the bonds of her homeland - won’t she, precisely she, remain a symbol of PATRIOTISM until the end of time?
Mark Twain, writer, author of Joan of Arc
“The famous Joan of Arc proved that the French genius can work miracles when freedom is in danger.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France
“Joan of Arc could remain a rural seer, could prophesy and heal. She could have ended her work as a revered abbess, or even a respected citizen. There were ways to everything. But the Great Law had to find in it another bright evidence of the Truth. The flame of her heart, the flame of the fire - the fiery crown - all this is far beyond ordinary laws. Even beyond the ordinary human imagination.”
Nicholas Roerich, artist and philosopher
Joan of Arc, Maid of Orleans (Jeanne d'Arc, January 6, 1412 - May 30, 1431) - the most famous historical figure France. In the Hundred Years' War she acted as commander-in-chief, but was captured by the Burgundians and, by order of the king, was handed over to the English authorities. As a result of religious accusations, d'Arc was burned at the stake, and later rehabilitated and even canonized.
Childhood
Jeanne or Jeanette - that’s what the girl called herself - was born in 1412 in the small village of Domremy, located on the border of Lorraine and Champagne. It is not known for certain who her parents were, since some sources claim their poor origins, while others claim a quite prosperous status.
The situation is the same with the date of birth of Jeannette herself: the parish register contains an entry from 1412 about the birth of a girl, which was considered for a long time exact date her birth. However, on January 6, 1904, when Pope Pius X canonized d'Arc, he indicated 1409/1408, thereby refuting previous information.
ABOUT early childhood Almost nothing is known about Zhanna. Only a few entries have been preserved in the diaries of her parents that the girl was born very weak and was often sick. At the age of four, she caught a bad cold and was between life and death for about a month.
And since at that time people were not yet able to prepare potent drugs, parents could only pray for the successful recovery of the child. Fortunately, after a few months, d'Arc fully recovered from her illness, but remained secretive and silent throughout her life.
Youth
At the age of thirteen, according to Jeanette herself, she first saw the Archangel Michael. The girl could only tell her parents about her visions, since she had no friends. But the relatives did not recognize what d’Arc said, attributing everything to Jeanne’s fantasy and her desire to “at least acquire imaginary friends.”
But a few months later, d’Arc again told her parents that she saw the Archangel Michael and two other women (according to scientists, these were Saints Margaret of Antioch and Catherine of Alexandria). According to the girl, the “guests” who appeared told her about her mission: to lift the siege of the city of Orleans, expelling the invaders forever, and to place the Dauphin on the throne.
Having not received adequate support from her relatives, Joan of Arc went to Captain Robert de Bondicourt, who was at that time the manager of the city of Vaucouleurs. There the girl tells her story, but, unfortunately, she sees an absolutely identical situation: the captain only laughs at her unhealthy fantasy and sends her back, not even wanting to listen to the end. Jeanette, annoyed similar attitude to his person, goes to his native Domremi, but does not give up.
A year later, the situation repeats itself: she again comes to the captain, claiming the possibility of victory in the battle only if he appoints her as a military leader. Decisive is D'Arc's prediction about the outcome of the so-called "Battle of the Herring", which should take place in the near future under the walls of the city of Orleans.
This time, de Bondicourt listens to the girl's words and decides to allow her to participate in the battle. Jeannette is given men's clothing (which, by the way, she then began to prefer to numerous dresses, declaring that such an image not only helps in battle, but also discourages attention from the soldiers to her person) and is equipped with a small detachment. It is he who is subsequently joined by d’Arc’s two best friends: the knights Bertrand de Poulangis and Jean de Metz.
Participation in battles
As soon as the detachment was fully equipped, Jeannette led the people behind her. It took them 11 days to reach Chinon, where the warlike woman planned to enlist the support of the Dauphin. Entering the city, she told the ruler that she was “sent by Heaven to liberate Orleans and bring peace and tranquility,” and also demanded his support and provision of her army. But, despite d’Arc’s noble aspirations, King Charles hesitated for a long time whether to place his men under her command. best warriors.
For several weeks, he tested Joan of Arc: she was interrogated by theologians, messengers sought information about her in her homeland by order of the king, the woman underwent numerous tests. But not a single fact was found that could discredit the name of d’Arc, after which the active army was completely transferred to her for command.
With the army, the young military leader goes to Blois, where she unites with another part of the army. The news that they are now commanded by a “messenger of God” causes an unprecedented moral uplift in the soldiers. On April 29, troops under the command of d'Arc penetrated Orleans. After short battles, in which the active army loses only two, on May 4, Jeanette liberates the Saint-Loup fortress.
Thus, an impossible mission for numerous military leaders without special effort performed by a woman in just 4 days. For such merits, Joan of Arc receives the title of “Maid of Orleans”, and on May 8 she is appointed official holiday(by the way, it still exists to this day).
Accusation and inquisition process
In the autumn of the same year, immediately after the coronation of Charles, Joan of Arc, having secured his support, launched an attack on Paris, where at that time there was turmoil and chaos due to the desire of the English military leaders to independently command the remaining troops. However, a month later, the king, for unknown reasons, gives the order to retreat and, forced to obey Jeanne, leaves the army in the Loire.
Immediately after this, a message is received about the capture of the city of Compiegne by the Burgundians, and d’Arc rushes to liberate it without even asking the consent of the new king. As a result, luck turns away from the “Maid of Orleans” and she is captured by the Burgundians, from where neither King Charles nor other influential persons can save her.
On February 21, 1431, the inquisitorial hearing of Joan of Arc began, whom the Burgundians, without hiding their involvement in the process, accused of heresy and disobedience to existing church canons. Jeannette was credited with both relations with the devil and disregard for church canons, but the woman denied any negative statements addressed to her.
Such courageous behavior only delayed the church’s decision to burn d’Arc, because, in this case, she would have become a martyr and, perhaps, would have encouraged the people to revolt. That is why the church ministers resort to meanness: D’Arc is brought to the “bonfire being prepared for her” and, in exchange for her life, they offer to sign a paper asking her to be transferred to a church prison because she realizes what she has done and wants to atone for her guilt.
The woman, untrained in reading, signs a paper, which is then replaced with another - in which it is written that Jeannette fully admits everything that she was accused of. Thus, d’Arc, with his own hand, signed the sentence of burning, which was carried out on May 30, 1431 in the square of the city of Rouen.
Posthumous acquittal
Over the next 20 years, Joan of Arc was practically not remembered, and only by 1452, King Charles VII, knowing about the exploits of the courageous girl, decided to find out the whole truth about high-profile case of the past. He ordered to collect all the documents and find out in every detail the essence and conduct of the trial of Jeannette.
To collect all necessary information manuscripts of church books were retrieved, surviving witnesses of that time were interviewed, and even messengers were sent to Domremy, the homeland of the “Maid of Orleans.” By 1455, it was absolutely clear that during the hearing of the d'Arc case, monstrous violations of the law were committed, and the girl herself was indeed innocent.
The restoration of the noble name of Joan of Arc took place in three cities at once: Orleans, Paris and Rouen. Documents about her alleged involvement with the devil and the illegality of her actions were publicly torn up in front of a crowd in the city square (by the way, including Jeanne’s friends and her mother). On July 7, 1456, the case was closed, and the girl’s good name was restored. And in 1909, Pope Pius X declared Joan blessed, after which a solemn canonization took place.