Joan of Arc was an illiterate peasant girl, born in the small village of Domremy around 1412. Little did she know that she would, once a teenager, command an army of men, bringing about major victories for France in Hundred Years' War.
Around the age of 13, Joan began hearing voices. These were the voices of saints, who told her that God wanted her to lead an army against the English and crown the new French king. She ran away from home at the age of 17 and did just that. And more.
Joan became known throughout the land as "The Maid" and people believed she was divinely inspired. People would reach out to touch her when she rode through towns. And grown soldiers, hardened from years of war, flocked to her side to take her orders.
She had several thousand men under her command. At the Battle of Orleans, Joan helped liberate the city. She was even wounded and removed the arrow herself. Even today, May 8th is celebrated as the day Joan of Arc freed Orleans.
After clearing a path to the town or Reims, Joan stood proudly as the prince was crowned Charles VII, the new king of France. But she did not want to stop there. Her next goal: liberate Paris.
However, in a battle near the town of Compiegne, she was betrayed and delivered into the hands of the English.
The English decided to place her on trial for witchcraft; after all, God would never choose an illiterate peasant girl to give messages to, it must be the work of the devil, they believed.
Around the age of 13, Joan began hearing voices. These were the voices of saints, who told her that God wanted her to lead an army against the English and crown the new French king. She ran away from home at the age of 17 and did just that. And more.
Joan became known throughout the land as "The Maid" and people believed she was divinely inspired. People would reach out to touch her when she rode through towns. And grown soldiers, hardened from years of war, flocked to her side to take her orders.
She had several thousand men under her command. At the Battle of Orleans, Joan helped liberate the city. She was even wounded and removed the arrow herself. Even today, May 8th is celebrated as the day Joan of Arc freed Orleans.
After clearing a path to the town or Reims, Joan stood proudly as the prince was crowned Charles VII, the new king of France. But she did not want to stop there. Her next goal: liberate Paris.
However, in a battle near the town of Compiegne, she was betrayed and delivered into the hands of the English.
The English decided to place her on trial for witchcraft; after all, God would never choose an illiterate peasant girl to give messages to, it must be the work of the devil, they believed.
In 1431, Joan was tortured and placed on trial for blasphemy. Other charges included the wearing of men's clothing.
The English wanted to make sure that Joan did not become a martyr for the French cause. Therefore, they wanted to prove that Joan was a heretic. They thought if they can prove that Joan was in league with the devil, that would discredit the new French king, Charles VII. On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in the city of Rouen. Some claimed that they saw a dove fly out of the flames as Joan died. Stories of Joan of Arc were kept alive in France by poets and writers. The image of Joan was used for years to inspire French pride. This was especially true during World War I. Shortly after, in 1920, Joan was declared a saint. |
SIGNIFICANCE OF JOAN OF ARC and the 100 YEARS' WAR
The war brought about feelings of NATIONALISM. Joan was particularly important in increasing these feeling in France.
Nationalism is one of the most important forces working in history. It is more than pride. Nationalism is a force that causes people to want to be united under common language and culture. It is one of the biggest factors in creation of countries event to this day. In the middle ages, the king became a symbol for the country. People began to identify themselves as "English" or "French." They became loyal to an idea, rather than a Lord or a Vassal. Nationalism would become a unifying force throughout the world.
Many historians see the Hundred Years' War and the increase in nationalism as the biggest factor in bringing about an end to the Middle Ages in Europe.
Europe would be ready for a new awakening: the Renaissance.
The war brought about feelings of NATIONALISM. Joan was particularly important in increasing these feeling in France.
Nationalism is one of the most important forces working in history. It is more than pride. Nationalism is a force that causes people to want to be united under common language and culture. It is one of the biggest factors in creation of countries event to this day. In the middle ages, the king became a symbol for the country. People began to identify themselves as "English" or "French." They became loyal to an idea, rather than a Lord or a Vassal. Nationalism would become a unifying force throughout the world.
Many historians see the Hundred Years' War and the increase in nationalism as the biggest factor in bringing about an end to the Middle Ages in Europe.
Europe would be ready for a new awakening: the Renaissance.