Joan of Arc

Jeanne d’Arc, a woman of many names such as Joan of Arc, and The Maiden of Orleans, grew up in a small peasant family. Her mother, Isabelle Romee, taught her how to read and right. Jeanne’s mother also possessed a strong faith in Christianity that she molded into her daughter as well. Because of this Jeanne d’Arc, (also known as Joan of Arc) felt intertwined with God, hearing voices in her head telling her what she had to do. “I was in my thirteenth year when I heard a voice from God to help me govern my conduct. And the first time I was very much afraid.” God had chosen her to save France and defeat the English in the war known as the Hundred Years’ War.

Joan of Arc dressed as a male soldier(Ingres)The faith that she had for God allowed her to develop her first trait that was needed to become a hero, courage. An act of courage that she portrayed can be seen on May 1429, in which Joan asked Charles of Valois, the crown prince of France, to have an army gathered for her to assault Orleans. Charles accepted her request against the better judgment of his advisors, so she rode off on a white horse in shining white armor, with her hair cropped as if she was a boy. Joan’s assault was successful, as she drove back the English forces and retook Orleans. Even though she was told by many that she would be unsuccessful, she showed courage in assaulting the English to show that warfare is not only for men.

Joan’s second trait as a hero can be seen in her skills as a leader. In 1428, Joan declared that she had visions that were instructing her to seek Robert de Baudricourt, who would lead her to Charles. After her arrival at Vaucouleurs, Joan requested for Baudricourt assistance. Baudricourt’s first response was no, though he soon realized that Joan had built up quite a following. Gaining the respect of many peasants and villagers believing her claim as a representative of God. Baudricourt ended up filling out her request and gifting her an escort to travel to Chinon, where she would meet Charles. Joan used the large population of followers that she had gathered to take over towns which resisted against the French and contributed to keeping Northern France under control of the English.

Joan of Arc at the stake(Stilke)Joan’s connection with God told her not to stop after reclaiming Orleans. Her next battle was The Burgundian assault, in the year 1430. In this battle Joan was sadly captured and ransomed to the English. She was then put on trial and found guilty in the year of 1431, for heresy and dressing like a man. Joan was sentenced to death by fire at the age of nineteen. Though roughly twenty years later her case was reopened and she was found innocent and  pronounced a martyr. This alone made her a hero and idol to others. Her rise as a martyr caused her life to be considered religiously heroic, and support her claim as a representative of God. She was now justified as by a common religion (Christianity) that approved her as a hero to all of the people of France and even others to come.

I believe Joan’s courageous actions and upcoming as a leader along with her rise as a martyr are only three reasons of why she can be seen as a hero. Whether in life or death. Her confidence in the things she did or the words she spoke were opposed by many who did not believe in her ability to do so. This alone brings confidence to me as it is inspiring and contradicting to whoever believes that there are limits to what one can do in their life.    

Works Cited:

History.com Staff. “Joan of Arc.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/saint-joan-of-arc.

Ingres, Jean Auguste. “St. Joan of Arc on Stage, in Film, and in the Catechism.” National Catholic Register, www.ncregister.com/blog/stephaniemann/st.-joan-of-arc-on-stage-in-film-and-in-the-catechism.

“Joan of Arc.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017, www.biography.com/people/joan-of-arc-9354756.

“St. Joan of Arc.” CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Joan of Arc, www.newadvent.org/cathen/08409c.htm.

 Stilke, Hermann. “Joan of Arc's Death at the Stake.” File:Stilke Hermann Anton - Joan of Arc's Death at the Stake.jpg, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stilke_Hermann_Anton_-_Joan_of_Arc%27s_Death_at_the_Stake.jpg.