Joan Of Arc

Main Characters:

 Joan; her father, Jacques; Durand; Prince/King Charles; Count Dunois; Talbot; Le Here; Cauchon

Overall Theme:

Joan of Arc was a young girl from the French countryside who heard voices from heaven telling her to help free France.  She sucessfully lead attacks against the English army during the Hundred Years’ War.

Summary:

As a young girl, Joan lived in the French countryside.  One day, she heard voices from heaven talking to her.  The voices told Joan that she was called to help fight for the freedom of France.  They also told her that Prince Charles was to be annointed and crowned the rightful king of France.

Joan went to see Prince Charles but the Prince said to send her away.  The warrior, Le Hire, reminded Charles of a prophesy that said a young maiden would save France.  Prince Charles agreed to see Joan but planned to prove that she was a fake.

Charles switched clothes with his tailor and hid in the crowd of people when Joan entered the room.  He believed if Joan had special powers, she would be able to identify him.  Joan was not fooled and she quickly bowed before him.

The Prince was convinced so he made her a commander in his army.  Under Joan’s command new supplies and soldiers made it into Orleans and the English fled.

Talbot, the leader of the English military, believed Joan must be a witch because she could not have beat the English in battle without the help of the devil.  Joan was captured and tried on the charges of witchcraft and heresy.  Cauchon, a bishop of the church, found Joan guilty and sentenced her to death by fire.

After Joan’s death La Hire and Dunois asked King Charles for control of the army.  They wanted to continue what Joan had begun.  The war continued for twenty two years before Joan’s people were set free.  Twenty five years after Joan’s death, the trial condemning her was pronounced invalid and her name was cleared.

Background:

“God uses whom he can!  Even someone as lowly and weak as me!”  These words shed light on Joan’s character and deep faith. 

Joan was one of five children born to a peasant farmer.  Her childhood was spent taking care of her father’s sheep and learning religion from her mother.  Joan went to the country chapel six times a day to pray.  It was there she heard three heavenly voices telling her that God had a work for her to do.

Joan was obedient in doing what the voices instructed her do to and was successful in breaking the siege of Orleans and seeing Prince Charles crowned the rightful King of France. Joan led several successful battles before her capture.

At Joan’s trial she was told to denounce the voices she heard but Joan refused.  Joan stood up for  her beliefs even though she knew it meant her death.  Joan is remembered today as a woman who was used by God to set her people free.