Introduction
"I have not come to Poitiers to make signs! Take me to Orleans, and I will show you the sign which I have been sent! "Joan of Arc started life as a farmer's daughter seeing signs from God and became a knight and captain of the French army. Travel though her life, and find out how and why.
"I have not come to Poitiers to make signs! Take me to Orleans, and I will show you the sign which I have been sent! "Joan of Arc started life as a farmer's daughter seeing signs from God and became a knight and captain of the French army. Travel though her life, and find out how and why.
Childhood
Joan's childhood was like any normal child's in the Renaissance. She would tend the animals or sew and mend. Joan Duag was born in a small town called Domremy, France; it was January of 1412. She had four siblings, her only sister died of a unknown sickness. Joan did not have any education, but she learned to pray every night. She would go to church continuously. Joan would play the war games with the village boys. Sometimes she would play with her older brothers. The toys they would play with were cherry pits that would serve as marbles, and small rocks that could be counters. They made play houses out of sticks and they took mammoth rocks to be chairs. She was lucky if one of her brothers made a doll for her. Joan's childhood was similar to any girls, but, it was about to change.
Joan's childhood was like any normal child's in the Renaissance. She would tend the animals or sew and mend. Joan Duag was born in a small town called Domremy, France; it was January of 1412. She had four siblings, her only sister died of a unknown sickness. Joan did not have any education, but she learned to pray every night. She would go to church continuously. Joan would play the war games with the village boys. Sometimes she would play with her older brothers. The toys they would play with were cherry pits that would serve as marbles, and small rocks that could be counters. They made play houses out of sticks and they took mammoth rocks to be chairs. She was lucky if one of her brothers made a doll for her. Joan's childhood was similar to any girls, but, it was about to change.
Young Adulthood
Joan lived a difficult and powerful life as a young adult. When Joan was only sixteen years old, she started hearing voices. At first they told her to be a kind little girl and to watch the animals. Later, they started getting mournful. They started saying how France was losing the Hundred Years War to England. Then out of the blue they told her to go fight in the war, to be the captain of an army, to save France. Joan went to Orléans to meet Prince Charles. When Joan got to Orléans, she had to find Prince Charles in a huge ballroom filled with the royal court. Joan spotted Prince Charles immediately. When Joan addressed Prince Charles he said, "I am not the prince! He is!," and pointed at another man. Joan did not fall for the trick, she got straight to the point. She told him that God had told her that she was to be the captain of an army. Prince Charles said, "That is absurd! I will not let a young woman be the captain of an army!" Joan just kept going on, "God has also told me that you are the true king. I am to go with you to see that you are crowned." It took some reasoning but finally he let her be a captain. However, she was only an ally, there were many other captains. She traveled to Orléans, they had a very bloody battle, but the French won. The people of Orléans were very happy that they were free again. Joan took Prince Charles to Chion to be crowned. Soon, Joan left to another battle. The French, lead by Joan won several important battles. In the fifth battle, though, Joan was taken prisoner. The English put her in a small cell in the castle of Rouren. She was convicted of witchcraft and magic. After the trial she was sent back to her cell and forced to wear a white dress indicating 'life imprisonment.' Then, they shaved her head. On May 30th, 1431 a guard came to tell her she was sentenced to death. Joan's young adulthood was stunning. To be a girl, so young and brave at that time in history was amazing.
Joan lived a difficult and powerful life as a young adult. When Joan was only sixteen years old, she started hearing voices. At first they told her to be a kind little girl and to watch the animals. Later, they started getting mournful. They started saying how France was losing the Hundred Years War to England. Then out of the blue they told her to go fight in the war, to be the captain of an army, to save France. Joan went to Orléans to meet Prince Charles. When Joan got to Orléans, she had to find Prince Charles in a huge ballroom filled with the royal court. Joan spotted Prince Charles immediately. When Joan addressed Prince Charles he said, "I am not the prince! He is!," and pointed at another man. Joan did not fall for the trick, she got straight to the point. She told him that God had told her that she was to be the captain of an army. Prince Charles said, "That is absurd! I will not let a young woman be the captain of an army!" Joan just kept going on, "God has also told me that you are the true king. I am to go with you to see that you are crowned." It took some reasoning but finally he let her be a captain. However, she was only an ally, there were many other captains. She traveled to Orléans, they had a very bloody battle, but the French won. The people of Orléans were very happy that they were free again. Joan took Prince Charles to Chion to be crowned. Soon, Joan left to another battle. The French, lead by Joan won several important battles. In the fifth battle, though, Joan was taken prisoner. The English put her in a small cell in the castle of Rouren. She was convicted of witchcraft and magic. After the trial she was sent back to her cell and forced to wear a white dress indicating 'life imprisonment.' Then, they shaved her head. On May 30th, 1431 a guard came to tell her she was sentenced to death. Joan's young adulthood was stunning. To be a girl, so young and brave at that time in history was amazing.
Death
Joan's life had been impressive and now she was broken. Joan was going to be burned at the stake. She was forced into a white dress and a tall hat that said " Heretic, Relapsed, Apostate, and Idolatress." She was burned at the stake on May 31,1431 at about 9:00 in the morning. After Joan had been burned the preliminary helper of the King yelled, "Look at our ignorance! We are all doomed for we have burned a saint! Saint Joan of Arc!" Some believe that Joan survived being burning and got married, some people might have found a house with a grave that said "Joan of Arc the loyal and loved", but others believe that she really did die at the stake. Joan's death was incredibly hard on the French, yet, somehow they got through it.
Joan's life had been impressive and now she was broken. Joan was going to be burned at the stake. She was forced into a white dress and a tall hat that said " Heretic, Relapsed, Apostate, and Idolatress." She was burned at the stake on May 31,1431 at about 9:00 in the morning. After Joan had been burned the preliminary helper of the King yelled, "Look at our ignorance! We are all doomed for we have burned a saint! Saint Joan of Arc!" Some believe that Joan survived being burning and got married, some people might have found a house with a grave that said "Joan of Arc the loyal and loved", but others believe that she really did die at the stake. Joan's death was incredibly hard on the French, yet, somehow they got through it.
Conclusion
Joan of Arc was the first woman to become a knight in France. In so doing she changed the course of history because she was determined and faithful. She played an important role in the Renaissance era during the wars with England. If Joan of Arc had not helped free France from English rule there may not be a France today.
Joan of Arc was the first woman to become a knight in France. In so doing she changed the course of history because she was determined and faithful. She played an important role in the Renaissance era during the wars with England. If Joan of Arc had not helped free France from English rule there may not be a France today.