Hear ye, hear ye! Joan of Arc, a young maiden from Domremy, a small farming village in English controlled France, has been captured and put on trial! Rumor has it she has been divinely inspired to revolt against the English, with intentions of securing the crown of Charles VII. But before we discuss her current ailment, some context is required.
Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in Domremy, France. Daughter of a tenant farmer, Joan had humble beginnings in her village. But one day, she claimed to have received visions and heard the voices of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret of Antioch. According to rumor, Joan claims these voices began at age 13, and were direct messages from God instructing her to lead French forces to help Charles VII reclaim France and ascend as a legitimized King. Joan went to Vaucouleurs and demonstrated piety and intent, which convinced the captain to allow her to join the dauphin and journey to Chinon. According to him, she did not seem to be hysterical and insane or a heretical witch. However, it is noted that Joan dressed in men’s clothes for this journey.
Joan set off and arrived at the castle of Charles, who reluctantly granted her an audience. She told him that she wished to go to battle against the English and that she would ensure he would be crowned at Reims. Ecclesiastical authorities interrogated the maiden, and found her to be a trustworthy and useful asset.
Joan returned to Chinon and was provided with a military household, claiming her sword would be found in the church of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois. Alas, a sword was found there and granted to her.
Joan and her men camped out in Orleans, waiting for an opportunity to strike against the English. One evening, Joan abruptly woke up from her slumber, declaring she must leave immediately to attack the English. She left with haste to a nearby English fort, where a battle was already taking place, and her arrival inspired the French, empowering them to take over the fort.
The next day, Joan advanced and attacked fleeing English troops. Continuing, they advanced on the fort of Les Tourelles. Joan was injured in battle, but was able to return to battle thanks to her French counterparts continuing the attack. Rumor has it Joan refused to allow the pursuit of fleeing English troops on Sunday, as it is the Holy day of rest.
On May 9th, Joan left Orleans and met Charles at Tours, urging him to proceed to Reims to be crowned. Charles Along the way, Joan took down English-controlled towns down the Loire River. They besieged the castle at Beaugency. Joan insisted on a bold attack on Paris, but put that endeavor on hold. She persistently urged Charles to swiftly set on to Reims for his coronation. Joan and her army set out to Troyes, convincing the citizens of the town to submit to her and Charles. On July 17th, 1429, Charles VII’s coronation ceremony was complete, and Charles was pronounced king. This is when Joan became a heroine in the eyes of Frenchmen, who praised her brave advances and aid to Charles, the object of her mission.
Joan thought it essential to take Paris, calling on Parisians to surrender their city to Charles, king of France, while she stood outside the city. In the following months, Joan succeeded in besieging a series of towns and cities throughout France, extending aid to citizens under threat from the English military, and solidifying her popularity throughout France. Her name has become revered and feared alike, gathering the attention of higher-ups with a preference for the English. It is evident her capture had become quite desired.
While returning to Compiegne, Joan learned that John of Luxembourg, a Burgundian captain, had laid siege to the city. She hastened to the city, and attempted to defend the city and succeeded twice, but became overwhelmed by English reinforcements and was forced to retreat. Joan attempted to protect the rear guard while they crossed the Oise River, but was unhorsed and forced to surrender. John and her brothers were taken to Margny and met by the duke of Burgundy. Renaud de Chartres accused her of rejecting all counsel and acting willfully, while Charles did not attempt to aid her, as he was working out a truce with the duke. John of Luxembourg sent Joan to his castle in Vermandois, then a more distant castle, where our sources tell us she was treated well. Despite this, the maiden felt a great deal of distress over the situation at Compiegne, and jumped from the top of a tower, falling unconscious into the moat. Reports claim Joan was not seriously hurt and was transferred to Arras.
The drama surrounding Joan of Arc’s trial seems to be similar to an elaborate spider’s web! The University of Paris insisted that the duke of Burgundy hand her over for trial and judgement. John of Luxembourg reportedly asked for a payment of 10,000 francs in return for his handing over of the maiden. Joan was to be brought to trial before a church court because the University’s theologians insisted she be tried as a heretic, concerned with matters of her faith and her claims of visions from God. The judges seem to aim at painting our young Joan as a witch, and persecute Charles for his illegitimate cahoots with her.
Throughout her trial, Joan was persistently questioned and commanded to swear to tell the truth. Joan has proven to be a clever girl, claiming she can’t divulge her conversations with Charles, as the judges are enemies of Charles. Furthermore, Joan has been thoroughly watched by guards assigned to remain inside her cell, and herself being chained up.
The judges primarily attacked Joan for her blasphemous claims of divine revelation and prophecy, assurance of salvation, endorsement of her letters with the sacred names of Jesus and Mary, her wearing of men’s clothes, and claim to be following direct commands of God.
As of now, the fate of Joan is unknown! She will be locked up until her judges announce a verdict. What do you readers think? Is young Joan a heroine or heretic? Charles’s ecclesiastical investigators seemed to be convinced about her claims of visions and voices! But what about her dressing in male fashions? Seems sort of odd… maybe even like something a delusional witch would do. Either way, it’s clear that Joan has spurred division and controversy. Her efforts to defeat the English have proved useful, and particularly impressive for a young peasant girl of only 17 years of age.
Rumor has it Joan’s perpetrators aimed to execute her for political motives, not religious ones. Our inside sources report an English-controlled ecclesiastical court, guilty of coercing and threatening assessors if they dare oppose them. A common rumor in Rouen has it that they are intent on finding Joan guilty. As writers of this column, we would like to point out our persuasion is in favor of Joan. It appears she has put up a good fight against her perpetrators. Joan has answered with logical and clever responses to defer her interrogator’s attempts at trapping her during questioning. She has redirected questions, utilized equivocation, twisted the meaning of words, feigned stupidity, and changed the subject tenfold. The judges seem to be having a hard time forcing certain answers out of Joan, which could be used to find her guilty and heretical. We applaud the young girl’s intelligence and wit! We hope Joan will be granted freedom, if God wills it. She deserves it, given her unwavering devotion to her cause and confidence in her faith.
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