Saint Joan of Arc Essay

Larissa Taylor takes her readers on a journey through the life of the infamous Joan of Arc. Joan can be easily recognized as a historical figure in the 15th century, a female warrior, and a woman that was fiercely independent and determined. Joan’s life has been told again and again, which has slowly taken away from the incredible woman that held so many triumphs. Instead of giving her readers a list of Joan’s accomplishments, Taylor enthralls the reader by detailing every step of Joan’s life, start to finish, so that one can really understand the life of the warrior.

Joan of Arc grew up in a country at war, which motivated her to fight. France was in the middle of the Hundred Year’s War, “an intermittent struggle between England and France in the 14th–15th century over a series of disputes, including the question of the legitimate succession to the French crown” (“Hundred”). This international conflict led to chaos and disagreement inside France, and two disagreeing parties emerged. The Armagnacs believed that Charles VII was the rightful king of France while the Burgundians supported the Duke of Burgundy and his son, John the Fearless (“Hundred”). Joan of Arc was born in the small village of Dorémy around 1412 (“Joan”). She grew up in a very Catholic family, and at the age of 13 she had visions with “the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret of Antioch” (Vale and Lanhers) who told her that it was her divine purpose to free France from England and bring Charles VII to the throne. This inspired her to leave her village and family behind to meet the prince.

Joan of Arc was just a girl until she put on the helmet and hoisted the sword that changed the course of her life. Joan was a soldier for France during the Hundred Years War. Not only was she a woman on the battlefield, but she led an army at the age of 16. Both her effort in the battles and her trial majorly changed the outcome of the war. Joan of Arc changed society and continues to influence history today through her poor upbringing and dedicated early life, her heroics and bravery in battle, her courage and defiance during her trial, and her role and influence as a Catholic saint.

Joan of Arc was a powerful military leader and a skilled warrior. Now St Joan of Arc is considered a saint and a martyr. The influence left by Joan’s life was an inspiration to all. France was forever changed by the empowering presence of Joan.

Joan of Arc is credited with leading the French army to victory over England during the 100 years war, which actually lasted around 116 years. She believed she was a messenger of god and was born to bring an end to the war. With permission from the king, Joan of Arc, lacking military and tactical training, led the french army against the English in the city of Orléans. Joan met a tragic end when she was captured by the Anglo-Burgundian and tried as a witch. She was called guilty as a witch and a heretic which led to her untimely demise being burned at the stake at age 19.

Throughout history people have made a name for themselves by their actions. From Napoleon to Amelia Earhart, individuals have been recognized through their accomplishments. The faithful Joan of Arc has done the same. Joan broke through the boundaries for women of her time and, consequently, is one of the most famous young women in history. This statement is profoundly accurate because she was such a young girl with an extremely powerful devotion to God. But just how did Joan’s intense dedication to God influence her brief life?

For Joan of Arc, 1428 was the start of a new life and journey. In the May of that year, Joan makes her first trip to Vacouleurs to meet with Robert de Baudricourt asking him to send her to the king. He had initially rejected her but her strong willingness to pursue what she wanted led to her attracting a small group of followers who believedthat she truly was destined to save France according to a prophecy. Baudricort finally gave in to her and she set out to Chinon, the site of the prince’s fortress. With the help of Charles, she led an army to Orleans in March of 1429 wearing white armor on her white horse. Joan had led several French attacks and drove the Anglo-Burgundians from their fortess and forced them to leave and cross the Loire River.

Born to a farmer and his devoutly Catholic wife on January 6, 1412, Jehanne d’Arc also known as Joan of Arc was from a small farmland in France known as Domremy. Joan had a normal childhood. She lived as a peasant girl until the year 1424. At this time Joan was having dreams and visions of different Saints, Saint Margaret, Saint Catherine, and Saint Michael, just to name a few. The Saints all had the same message for her, they all told her that she needed to help King Charles VII get rid of the English who were trying to take over France. This would become to be known as the “Hundred Years War”. (historynet, 2015)

Joan of Arc once said, “I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me”. When Joan was only thirteen years old she heard the voice of God. She also had various visions that powered her to lead an army that would give France victory over England in the “Hundreds’ year war”. She was named a roman catholic saint almost 500 years after leading her army into battle. Some may say that Joan of Arc does not get as much recognition as what she deserves.

“Do you know if you are in the grace of god?” They asked Joan during her trial for heresy and witchcraft. “If I am not, may God place me there; if I am, may God so keep me. I should be the saddest in all the world if I knew that I were not in the grace of God,” She told her accusers. “But if I were in a state of sin, do you think the Voice would come to me? I would that everyone could hear the Voice as I hear it…”(Pettinger). With her faith, determination and patriotism Joan of Arc proved herself as one of the most influential female leaders of her time.

Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans," was born in 1412 in Domrémy, Bar, France. A national heroine of France, at age 17 she led the French army to victory over the British at Orléans. Captured a year later, Joan was burned at the stake as a heretic by the English and their French collaborators. She was canonized as a Roman Catholic saint more than 500 years later, on May 16, 1920. Joan is an excellent example of an adaptive leader in history.

Joan has seen God, brought her country to victory, and has become a saint, in and after her lifetime. Her legacy lives on today, as she is still one of the greatest human beings of the past today. Joan of Arc grew up in an uneducated and very poor family who lived in Domrémy, France near Champagne during 1400’s. When she was born on January 6,1412 , France was on the edge of losing the Hundred Years’ War, and they had no chance of beating the British that had already won multiple battles. Joan’s father was a farmer, that made just enough for his family.

Imagine living in a male dominated world -- it was the man’s job to go to war and fight for their kingdom -- whereas females were looked at as the inferior sex. In that time period a woman’s role was to solely stay home, bare children, and take care of the household. Flipping the switch Jeanne d’Arc did what no woman would dare to do in the early 1400’s. Joan of Arc has become one of the most respected individuals of the history of Europe. She is a national heroine from France who has become recognized because of her heroic achievements through her actions during wartime, faith and spirit, and her incredible influence on the men of that era.

When Joan was 12 years old she had a perception. In that perception Joan of Arc saw Michael the Archangel. He said Joan was going to lead the French in a battle against the English. Over the next few years Joan kept on having these perceptions and as she was very religious she kept saying they wee beautiful and wonderful visions from God. When Joan of Arc finally turned sixteen she assured herself it was time to listen

St. Joan was determined, hard working, and motivated, qualities needed to be a hero.              St. Joan of Arc didn’t just become a knight, and just sit there as a follower. She became a leader, that led her army to victory. Most girls followed the men, like sheep following a shepherd. St. Joan showed that they weren’t like that at all.