Joan of Arc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintJoan of Arc |
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Speculative portrait, c. late 19th-century, in the style of a 15th-century miniature
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| Born | c. 1412 Domrémy, Duchy of Bar, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 30 May 1431 (aged approx. 19) Rouen, Anglo-French Kingdom |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 18 April 1909 by Pope Pius X |
| Canonized | 16 May 1920 by Pope Benedict XV |
| Feast | 30 May |
| Patronage | France |
Joan of Arc (born around 1412 – died May 30, 1431) is a famous French hero and a patron saint of France. She is remembered for her bravery during the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between France and England. Joan believed she had a special mission from God to help the French king, Charles VII of France, and save her country from English control.
At just 17 years old, Joan became a military leader. She helped the French army achieve a major victory at the city of Orléans in 1429. This success boosted the spirits of the French people and led to Charles VII being crowned king. Joan's actions were a turning point in the war.
Later, Joan was captured by enemies and put on trial. She was accused of serious offenses, including wearing men's clothes and claiming her visions were from God. She was found guilty and tragically died on May 30, 1431, when she was about 19 years old.
Years later, in 1456, her trial was reviewed. The court decided that the first trial was unfair and wrong. Joan of Arc is now seen as a symbol of courage, faith, and French national pride. She was made a saint by the Catholic Church in 1920.
Contents
Joan's Name
Joan of Arc's name was spelled in many different ways long ago. Before the 1500s, there wasn't one correct way to write it. Her last name was often "Darc," but you might see "Tarc" or "Dart" too. It's possible Joan never even heard herself called "Jeanne d'Arc." The first time her name was written this way was in 1455, many years after she died.
Joan didn't learn to read or write when she was a child. So, she would tell others what to write in her letters. She might have learned to sign her name later, as some letters have her signature. In her letters, Joan called herself "Jeanne la Pucelle," which means "Joan the Maiden." This name highlighted her purity. Later, people also called her the "Maid of Orleans."
Joan's Early Life and France's War
Where and When Joan Was Born
Joan of Arc was born around 1412 in a small French village called Domrémy. Her parents were Jacques d'Arc and Isabelle Romée. Joan had three brothers and one sister. Her father was a farmer and also helped the village by collecting taxes.
France During the Hundred Years' War
Joan grew up during a very long conflict called the Hundred Years' War. This war was between England and France and had started way back in 1337. England wanted to control parts of France and claimed the French throne. Most of the fighting happened in France, which caused a lot of damage and made life hard for people.
France was also divided by its own internal problems. The French king, Charles VI, was often sick and couldn't rule properly. Different powerful French families, like the Armagnacs and the Burgundians, fought for control. The future French king, Charles VII, was known as the Dauphin (the heir to the throne) and was supported by the Armagnacs.
England's King Henry V of England took advantage of these divisions. He invaded France and allied with the Burgundians. This made things even worse for France. After both Henry V and Charles VI died in 1422, the English claimed their young king, Henry VI of England, should also be the king of France. But Charles VII, the French Dauphin, also claimed the throne. This meant France had two people claiming to be king, and a big part of the country was under English or Burgundian control.
Joan's Visions and First Steps
Growing Up in Domrémy
As a young girl, Joan helped her family with farm chores. She spun wool, worked in the fields, and took care of animals. Her mother taught her about religion. Joan's village was loyal to the French king, even though it was surrounded by areas that supported the Burgundians. In 1425, her village was attacked, and cattle were stolen. This made the villagers feel strongly that the English needed to leave France for peace to return.
Hearing Voices and Receiving a Mission
Around 1425, when Joan was about 13, she said she started having visions. She believed Saint Michael, along with other angels and saints like Saint Margaret and Saint Catherine, appeared to her. These voices told her she had a special mission from God. They said she must help the Dauphin Charles become the true king of France and drive the English out.
Joan believed these voices guided her throughout her life. She also made a promise to remain pure. There was an old prophecy that said France would be saved by a virgin. Many people thought Joan might be this promised maiden.
Seeking Help for France
In 1428, Joan asked her uncle to take her to Vaucouleurs. There, she asked the local commander, Robert de Baudricourt, for soldiers to escort her to the Dauphin Charles. Baudricourt refused at first. But after her village was attacked again, Joan returned to Vaucouleurs in 1429. This time, she gained support from some soldiers and convinced Baudricourt to let her go to Charles.
Joan traveled with six soldiers. Before leaving, she put on men's clothes. This was practical for traveling and fighting, and it also helped her stay safe. She continued to wear men's clothes for the rest of her life.
The Importance of Orléans
At this time, the English army was surrounding the city of Orléans. This city was very important because it was the last major obstacle before the English could attack the rest of Charles's territory. Joan's visions told her it was time to leave Domrémy and help the Dauphin save France, starting with Orléans.
Meeting the Dauphin
Joan met Charles VII for the first time at his court in Chinon in early 1429. She was about 17, and he was 26. Joan told him that she was sent to lift the siege of Orléans and to lead him to Reims for his coronation. She also reassured him that he was the rightful king of France.
Charles and his advisors wanted to be sure Joan was truly sent by God. They sent her to Poitiers to be questioned by religious scholars. These scholars decided that Joan was a good and faithful Catholic. They agreed that sending her to Orléans would be a good way to test if her mission was divine. Joan was also examined by women to confirm her purity, which was important for the prophecy of the virgin savior.
After these tests, Charles felt confident in Joan. He gave her armor and she designed her own banner. She also had a special sword brought to her from a church. From this time, she often called herself "Joan the Maiden," highlighting her purity and mission.
Before Joan arrived, the French army was losing hope. But Joan's strong belief and personality began to inspire them. She turned the war into a religious cause, convincing many that God was on France's side. Before heading to Orléans, Joan sent a letter to the English, warning them that she was sent by God to drive them out of France.
Joan's Military Campaigns
The Siege of Orléans
In April 1429, Joan joined an army carrying supplies to help Orléans. She arrived on April 29 and was welcomed with great excitement. Joan was not given formal command, but her presence greatly boosted the French soldiers' morale. She carried her banner and was always where the fighting was fiercest, inspiring everyone.
On May 4, the French attacked an English fortress called Saint Loup. Joan rode to the battle and rallied the retreating soldiers, leading them to victory. The next day, May 5, was a religious holiday, so there was no fighting. Joan sent another message to the English, telling them to leave France.
The French continued their attacks on May 6, taking another English position. Joan urged the commanders to keep fighting. On May 7, the French attacked the main English stronghold, les Tourelles. Joan was wounded by an arrow but returned to encourage the final push that captured the fortress. The English finally left Orléans on May 8, ending the siege.
Many people saw the lifting of the siege as a clear sign that Joan was indeed sent by God. This victory greatly strengthened French morale.
Clearing the Loire River Towns
 Joan of Arc |
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| Allegiance | Kingdom of France |
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Conflict
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Hundred Years' War |
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After the victory at Orléans, Joan believed it was important to crown Charles VII quickly. This would make him the official king of France. Charles agreed, and Joan joined the army as they marched towards Reims. To get there, they first needed to recapture several towns along the Loire River.
The campaign to clear the Loire towns began on June 11. Joan and the army arrived at Jargeau and forced the English inside the town walls. Joan urged a direct attack, and the town was captured the next day. Joan was in the middle of the fighting and was hit by a stone, but she kept going.
The army then moved to Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency, capturing these towns as well. Meanwhile, an English army was approaching. Joan encouraged the French to chase them. The two armies met at the Battle of Patay on June 18. The French won a huge victory, defeating a large part of the English army. Joan's encouragement was key to this success.
Coronation of Charles VII
After the English army was defeated, Joan insisted that Charles be crowned. The army marched to Reims, which was the traditional place for French kings to be crowned. The journey was mostly peaceful, as many towns surrendered to the French without a fight. Even Troyes, which had English and Burgundian soldiers, surrendered after Joan prepared for an attack.
Reims opened its gates on July 16, 1429. Charles, Joan, and the army entered the city. The next morning, Charles was crowned King of France. Joan stood by his side, holding her banner, and announced that God's will had been done.
The Siege of Paris
After the coronation, Joan wanted to attack Paris, which was controlled by the English. However, there were disagreements among Charles's advisors, and they moved slowly. The French army eventually attacked Paris on September 8. During the battle, Joan was wounded in the leg by a crossbow bolt. The attack was unsuccessful, and the French army had to retreat.
After this defeat, Joan's influence in the French court lessened. Her direct and aggressive approach didn't fit with the court's desire for diplomatic solutions.
Later Campaigns and Capture
In October, Joan joined a force to attack areas held by enemies. They successfully captured Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier. However, they failed to take La Charité-sur-Loire in November and December. These setbacks further damaged Joan's reputation at court.
Joan returned to court and learned that she and her family had been given noble status by Charles. This was a reward for her service. In early 1430, Joan led a group of volunteers to help Compiègne, a town under siege by the Burgundians. This expedition did not have Charles's official permission.
On May 23, 1430, Joan and her soldiers made an attack from Compiègne. The attack failed, and Joan was captured by Burgundian troops. She tried to escape twice, even jumping from a tower, but she was injured and recaptured. In November, she was handed over to the English. There is no evidence that King Charles tried to save her.
Joan's Trial and Execution
The Unfair Trial
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Joan was put on trial for heresy in Rouen on January 9, 1431. The trial was led by Bishop Pierre Cauchon, who supported the English. The English wanted to prove that Joan was a heretic. If she was a heretic, then her actions, like helping to crown Charles VII, would be seen as wrong. This would weaken Charles's claim to the French throne.
Joan was accused of several things:
- Wearing men's clothes.
- Claiming her visions were from God, when her accusers said they were from evil spirits.
- Refusing to accept the church's judgment, saying she would only be judged by God.
The trial was unfair from the start. Joan was held by the English and guarded by men, which was against church rules. She was questioned for a long time without a lawyer. Many of the judges were against her.
Despite the difficult situation, Joan answered questions with great wisdom. For example, when asked if she knew she was in God's grace, she replied that if she wasn't, she hoped God would put her there, and if she was, she hoped she would stay there. This clever answer surprised her questioners.
In May, Joan was formally warned by the court. On May 24, she was taken to a public place for condemnation. At this point, she agreed to submit to the church and signed a document saying she would not wear men's clothes or carry weapons.
Joan's Execution
Wearing men's clothes was a serious accusation against Joan. After she signed the agreement, she was required to wear women's clothes and had her head shaved. However, she was returned to her cell and kept in chains. Witnesses later said that Joan was mistreated and that guards put men's clothes back in her cell, forcing her to wear them again.
On May 28, Joan told Bishop Cauchon that she had resumed wearing men's clothes because it was safer with male guards. She also said the judges had broken their promises to let her go to mass and release her from chains. She stated that her voices had blamed her for giving in out of fear, and she would not deny them again. Since her agreement required her to deny her visions, this was enough to find her guilty of returning to heresy.
At about 19 years old, Joan was executed on May 30, 1431. She was allowed to receive religious sacraments that morning. She was then taken to the Old Marketplace in Rouen. She was tied to a tall pillar for execution by burning. Joan asked to see a cross as she died. An English soldier gave her a small cross made from a stick, which she kissed. A larger cross was brought from a church and held before her eyes. After her death, her remains were thrown into the Seine River.
Aftermath and Rehabilitation
The War Continues
Joan's death did not stop the war. Her victories had given the French new hope, and the English could not regain their strength. Charles VII remained king of France. In 1435, the Burgundians made peace with France, ending their alliance with England. Twenty-two years after Joan's death, in 1453, the Hundred Years' War ended with a French victory. The English were driven out of France, except for Calais.
Clearing Joan's Name
Joan's execution was a problem for King Charles VII. It suggested that his coronation was based on the actions of a heretic. So, in 1450, Charles ordered an investigation into Joan's trial. This first investigation found that the judgment against Joan was unfair.
In 1452, a second, more thorough investigation was opened. This time, many witnesses from Joan's original trial were interviewed. Joan's mother and brothers also asked for her name to be cleared. Finally, in 1455, the new Pope Callixtus III allowed a full rehabilitation trial.
The rehabilitation trial began on November 7, 1455, and ended on July 7, 1456. The court found that Joan's original trial was unjust and filled with errors. Her conviction and execution were officially canceled. To show their decision, a copy of the accusations against her was torn up. The court also ordered that a cross be placed where Joan was executed.
Joan's Visions
Joan's strong belief in her visions gave her confidence and hope, even during her capture and trial. Her visions were a key part of why she was condemned. The religious leaders at her trial tried to prove that her visions were false. However, the later rehabilitation trial overturned her sentence but did not officially declare her visions to be real. In 1894, Pope Leo XIII stated that Joan's mission was divinely inspired.
Joan's Clothing
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Joan's choice to wear men's clothes was a major point of accusation against her during her trial. It was seen as a sign of her heresy. Her final condemnation happened when she was found to be wearing men's clothes again.
From the time she left for Chinon until her first agreement to submit, Joan usually wore men's clothes and kept her hair cut short, like a man. She wore practical clothing for a warrior, including a jacket, tunic, and sometimes armor.
Joan said that wearing men's clothes was her own choice, and that she did so because God and his angels commanded it. She stated she would return to women's clothes once her mission was complete.
The church's rules on women wearing men's clothes were not always clear. Some religious thinkers believed it was acceptable if it was for safety or if no other clothes were available. Joan wore them for protection while traveling in enemy territory and later in prison. After the siege of Orléans, some even said her male clothes were appropriate for her role as a warrior. Wearing men's clothes may also have helped her stay safe from harm while she was among soldiers.
Joan's Legacy
Joan of Arc is one of the most studied figures from the Middle Ages. Her story has inspired many people and her image has changed over time. She is seen as a savior of France, a faithful Catholic, and a symbol of freedom and independence.
A Military Leader and French Symbol
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Joan's fame as a military leader began even before her death. After Charles's coronation, a poem was written celebrating her as a hero sent by God. The city of Orléans began celebrating her victory there every year on May 8.
After her rehabilitation, Joan became an even stronger symbol for France. In the 1800s, Napoleon Bonaparte allowed the Orléans celebration to restart. He said Joan proved that "French genius can accomplish" anything when the nation is threatened.
Since then, Joan has become a powerful symbol of French national pride. Her image was used to inspire soldiers during World War I and World War II. She is still an important figure in discussions about French identity and unity today.
A Saint and Heroic Woman
Joan is a saint in the Catholic Church. She was seen as a religious figure in Orléans after her victory. In 1909, she was declared "blessed" (beatified) by Pope Pius X. Then, on May 16, 1920, she was made a saint (canonized) by Pope Benedict XV. Her special day is May 30, the anniversary of her death. In 1922, Pope Pius XI declared Joan one of the patron saints of France.
Joan is honored as a saint because of her purity and strong faith. She is also remembered as a visionary in the Church of England.
During her lifetime, Joan was compared to brave women heroes from the Bible. Her purity was seen as a sign of her virtue and honesty. Joan is seen as a model of a strong, independent woman who challenged traditional roles. She took on the male role of a military leader while keeping her strong character. Joan has inspired countless books, plays, movies, and artworks around the world for centuries.
See also
In Spanish: Juana de Arco para niños
