Joan of Arc

I believe one of the greatest stories in all of world history involves Joan of Arc dating back to the 15th century in France.

I knew the name Joan of Arc from history courses and connected her to some heroic efforts for France in the Hundred Years' War with England.

However, I did not have a full appreciation for Joan of Arc, and her incredible story,  until a good friend gifted me a book that Mark Twain had written about her.

The book was published in 1896 and although some events in the novel are fictionalized the main events in the life of Joan are rendered faithfully.

Twain spent over a decade carefully researching the life and events surrounding Joan of Arc.

The story is told from the perspective of Joan of Arc's page and secretary who is the fictional Sieur Louis de Conte in the book.

However, Twain drew most of the story from the official court records of the Great Trial of 1431 and the Process of Rehabilitation a quarter of a century later that documented most of Joan of Arc's history.

Twain confronted the questions he might get about the biography he wrote not being consistent with the historical record in the preface to the book.

Twain sets the stage for how incredible the story of Joan of Arc is with this quote that also precedes the historical narrative that follows.

 

Yes, that got my attention as it should anyone.

It certainly captivated Twain for most of his life which led him to research and write something far, far different than he ever did during his entire career.

This is the summary of the story of Joan of Arc that was prepared for me by the AI tool Grok.

Twain's story is entirely consistent with this account.

The Story of Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc, born around 1412 in Domrémy, a small village in northeastern France, was a peasant girl who rose to become one of history’s most iconic figures. Growing up during the Hundred Years’ War, a prolonged conflict between England and France, Joan lived in a time of political turmoil and English dominance over large parts of French territory.

Divine Visions and Mission

Around age 13, Joan began experiencing visions and hearing voices she believed came from God, Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret. These voices instructed her to drive the English out of France and ensure the Dauphin, Charles VII, was crowned king. Despite her young age, lack of education, and humble background, Joan was determined to fulfill this divine mission.In 1429, at age 17, Joan traveled to Vaucouleurs to seek support from Robert de Baudricourt, a local commander. Initially skeptical, he eventually provided her an escort to meet Charles VII at Chinon. Dressed in men’s clothing for safety and practicality, Joan convinced Charles of her divine calling, possibly through a private revelation. Charles granted her permission to join the French army and lead efforts to relieve the besieged city of Orléans.

Military Leadership and Victories

Joan’s arrival at Orléans in April 1429 galvanized the French troops. Her faith, confidence, and unconventional tactics inspired soldiers and civilians alike. She led assaults against English fortifications, and within days, the siege was lifted—a stunning victory that marked a turning point in the war. Joan’s leadership continued with successes in the Loire Valley, including the Battle of Patay, which decimated English forces.

Her victories paved the way for Charles VII’s coronation in Reims in July 1429, a symbolically crucial event that legitimized his rule and boosted French morale. Joan stood by Charles during the ceremony, her mission partially fulfilled. However, she continued fighting, believing her divine mandate extended to liberating more of France, including Paris. An unsuccessful assault on Paris in September 1429 marked a setback, but Joan remained undeterred.

Capture and Trial

In May 1430, during a skirmish at Compiègne, Joan was captured by Burgundian forces, allies of the English. She was sold to the English for 10,000 francs and handed over to an ecclesiastical court in Rouen, controlled by pro-English clergy. The trial, beginning in January 1431, was a politically charged effort to discredit Joan and, by extension, Charles VII’s legitimacy.

Accused of heresy, witchcraft, and dressing as a man (considered scandalous), Joan faced intense interrogation. Despite her lack of formal education, she defended herself with remarkable clarity, maintaining that her visions were divine. On May 24, 1431, under pressure and threats of execution, she briefly recanted, signing a document abjuring her visions. However, days later, she retracted her recantation, reaffirming her faith in her divine mission. On May 30, 1431, at age 19, Joan was burned at the stake in Rouen’s marketplace, her execution witnessed by a large crowd.

Legacy and Canonization

Joan’s death did not end her influence. Her execution fueled French resistance, and by 1453, France had expelled the English from most of its territory. In 1456, a posthumous retrial, ordered by Charles VII, declared Joan innocent and condemned the original trial as unjust, proclaiming her a martyr. Over centuries, her story grew into a symbol of French nationalism, courage, and faith.

In 1909, the Catholic Church beatified Joan, and in 1920, she was canonized as Saint Joan of Arc. Today, she is revered as a patron saint of France, soldiers, and prisoners, and her life inspires countless books, films, and artworks. Joan’s story is one of extraordinary conviction, defying societal norms and altering the course of history through her unwavering belief in her divine purpose.

Take a step back and consider how incredible all of this is.

And yet, it really did happen.

A uneducated peasant girl named Joan at age 13 began experiencing visions and voices from God and holy spirits and takes it upon herself to drive the English out of France and insure that Charles VII was crowned king.

At age 17 she convinces Charles to allow her to join the French army where she leads and rallies the troops and turns the tide against England and paves the way for the coronation of Charles VII.

She leads the French forces for a year until she is captured in battle, sold to the English and put on trial for heresy, witchcraft and dressing like a man.

Despite all that Joan of Arc did for France and Charles VII, they do nothing to retrieve her from the British and allow her to be burned at the stake at age 19.

When you consider the story of Joan of Arc it is hard to not believe that the hand of God was, in fact, directing all of this.

How else could a peasant girl of 17 years achieve so much?

How could she be so pivotal in altering the course of history in France?

However, if this is true, how could this brave and loyal servant of God be left to burn at the stake at the age of 19?

They are interesting questions and surely were big reasons why Mark Twain was so intrigued with Joan of Arc and her story.

It is a story that more should be familiar with.

It is also difficult to not see some parallels with Charlie Kirk in all of this.

I am not suggesting Charlie Kirk is destined for sainthood but we also have a very young person who was driven by deep religious faith and believed there was a calling in his life to make a difference.

That life was also much too brief considering all of the potential they had for the future.

Why would God pour that much into these young people and then have their lives cut short?

It is another reminder that we mortals cannot understand God’s plans.

However, it takes faith to understand there is a plan.

Would Joan of Arc be as revered today if she had not been burned at the stake for her convictions?

What has the assassination of Charlie Kirk done for the revival of America that might not have been possible otherwise?

Many thanks for Joel R. for gifting me Twain’s book and giving me the opportunity to know more about the incredible story of Joan of Arc.

You can tie yourself into knots attempting to explain how Joan of Arc was able to accomplish what she did.

In the end, it is impossible without acknowledging the hand of God in all of it.