Joan of Arc’s Visions, Valor, and Victory Against All Odds

Joan of Arc born in obscurity, she emerged from low beginnings to become a symbol of courage, faith, and resilience. Known as the "Maid of Orléans," her story is one of unwavering confidence and faith in her divine purpose. Joan's presence on the battlefield and in the halls of power was nothing short of miraculous in a time of turmoil and war, when the very fabric of her country was tearing apart. But who was this girl, only 19 when she died tragically? How did a youngster, armed only with unwavering determination and divine visions, change the course of a kingdom? Joan of Arc's story is both victorious and sad, featuring themes of valour, treachery, and the enduring human spirit.

Joan of Arc, or Jeanne d'Arc in her native French, was born about 1412 in the little village of Domrémy, northeast France. She hailed from a peasant household, with her father, Jacques d'Arc, and mother, Isabelle Romée, earning a living through farming. Joan was uneducated but extremely religious—a devout Catholic who spent most of her childhood tending sheep and engaging in church activities.

At the period, France was embroiled in the Hundred Years' War, a protracted and violent battle with England that had lasted since 1337. The English controlled or occupied much of northern France, as did their Burgundian allies. The legitimate successor to the French throne, Charles VII, was barely holding on to his claims and had yet to be legally anointed. Chaos reigned, and the French people's morale had plummeted to its lowest point.

Joan grew up in this turbulent environment, but her early years were quite uneventful—until her life took a drastic change at the age of 13. Joan reported that this is when she began to have visions of saints such as Saint Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine. These celestial voices, she felt, were carrying God's message: she was to expel the English from French soil and crown Charles VII as King of France. It was an astounding message for an illiterate girl without any education or combat experience, but Joan's unwavering faith left no room for doubt.

Joan left her family at the age of sixteen, determined to carry out her holy purpose. She approached local military commanders and noblemen, but her assertions were received with scepticism and scorn. She was able to meet with Robert de Baudricourt, a local captain, thanks to her persistent efforts. Initially sceptical, Baudricourt was later swayed by Joan's conviction and accounts of her prescient forecasts about military events. He arranged for her to fly to Chinon, where Charles VII resided.

Joan embarked on the risky trek dressed in men's attire, both for practical reasons and as a symbolic break from traditional female norms. At Chinon, she met with Charles VII and persuaded him of her purpose, apparently identifying him in disguise in a crowded room, adding to her reputation as someone endowed with heavenly perception. Charles, eager for any advantage in the battle, decided to send her with a rescue party to the besieged city of Orléans.

Joan's arrival in Orléans in 1429 signalled the start of her meteoric career. Despite not wielding a sword in combat, she wore armour and rode at the head of French troops, inspiring them with her burning passion. Her leadership and faith in divine guidance energised the exhausted warriors. Within a few days, French forces finally ended the siege of Orléans, a remarkable victory that represented a watershed moment in the war. Joan was given the title "Maid of Orléans" because of her involvement.

Joan made tremendous contributions to France, both strategically and symbolically. She was not a commander in the classic sense, as she had no professional military experience, but her charisma and religious fervour inspired an army battered by years of failure. Her successes went beyond Orléans. Under her spiritual and symbolic leadership, French armies reclaimed much of the land previously lost to the English and Burgundians.

Joan's biggest success occurred in July 1429, when she played an important role in Charles VII's coronation at the Cathedral of Reims. This event was extremely significant because it legitimised Charles' leadership in the eyes of the French people and strengthened national unity. Joan's achievement helped to change the narrative of the war, turning it from a hopeless struggle to a spiritual quest for liberty.

Joan, on the other hand, became a target as her reputation grew. Her unorthodox behaviour, such as dressed in male garb and claiming supernatural guidance, called into question established gender roles and religious conventions, raising suspicions among both allies and foes. The Catholic Church, which is heavily intertwined with political power, saw her extreme claims as potentially heretical. Nonetheless, her purpose persisted, even though her days of grandeur were numbered.

Joan was seized by Burgundian forces in 1430 while defending Compiègne and sold to the English. Instead of treating her as a prisoner of war, the English staged a politically motivated trial, charging her of heresy and witchcraft. The trial was a charade from the outset; the court was made up of clergy committed to English interests, and Joan, a poor peasant girl, received no proper legal defence. Despite her youth, she remained calm and defended her heavenly purpose with extraordinary eloquence.

Joan was convicted and burned at the stake in Rouen's marketplace on 30th May 1431, when she was 19 years old. Her last words were reportedly "Jesus, Jesus," and witnesses claimed that her death shocked even her foes. Joan's killing was meant to discredit her and undermine the French cause, but it had the opposite effect. She became a martyr, a unifying symbol of France's resistance to English rule.

Joan of Arc's legacy goes well beyond her brief life. In 1456, 25 years after her execution, a retrial convened by Pope Callixtus III found her innocent of all charges and recognised her as a martyr. Her fame grew throughout the centuries, and in 1920, the Catholic Church canonised her as a saint.

Today, Joan is remembered as a symbol of bravery, patriotism, and everlasting faith. Her story resonates not only in France, where she is revered as a national heroine, but also around the world as a tribute to the power of belief and tenacity. Her memory has been immortalised in statues, films, literary works, and operas, and her life continues to inspire movements and individuals seeking justice and equality.

Despite her brief life, Joan of Arc's legacy extends beyond her time period. She is regarded not only as a warrior or a saint, but also as a global emblem of the amazing potential that exists within even the most ordinary people. Her spark, though extinguished far too soon, still burns brightly in the hearts of those who believe in the strength of conviction and the possibility of change in the face of overwhelming obstacles.