here's my Humanities report on Joan of arc!
Joan of Arc was believed to have been born in Domrémy-la-Pucelle, France on the sixth of january in 1412. Some historians believe her birth name was Jehanne d'Arc, Jehanne Tarc, Jehanne Romée or possibly Jehanne de Vouthon.
She was the daughter of a Tennant farmer named Jacques d'Arc and a woman named Isabelle Romée. She had three brothers, Jacquemin, Pierre, and Jean, and a sister, Catherine. Their family was what we would now know as 'middle class', aka neither poor, nor rich.
She wasn't taught to read or write, but Isabelle gave her a –completely irrational- love for the Catholic church and its teachings.
During Joan's early life, France was at war with England (A war we now know as the hundred years war.) in which England had gained the upper hand. A peace treaty in 1420 disinherited the French crown prince, Charles of Valois, amid accusations of his illegitimacy, and King Henry V (King henry the fifth) was made king of both England and France.
At the age of thirteen, Joan claimed to hear voices from angels, saints, and even the overblown conspiracy himself, 'god'. She identified the saints as Saint Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret, and determined that 'god' was telling her to lead the French to victory against the English. She also took a vow of chastity after hearing the voices, because... reasons.
Nowadays, we could probably determine that she could have had a mental disorder like psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder that could have caused her to hear voices. A disorder that caused major intrusive thoughts (For example, OCD or anxiety.) could have caused her to think she had to go to war at such a young age. Physicians have also suggested that she was psychotic, psychopathic, or epileptic. But the biggest giveaway that 'god' was not in fact talking to her, is the fact that 'god' is not real.
In 1428 when she was believed to be 16, she started making her way to Vaucoulers, gaining a small group of followers who believed her to be the 'virgin savior' a popular prophecy had foretold.
Why was the savior specified to be virgin? No idea. If the savior was supposed to be a man, would people care about whether he was a virgin? Most likely not.
Joan allegedly won over the future king Charles VII by revealing information about him that only a messenger from 'god' could possibly know, although this probably wasn't true as there is no knowledge of what she told him, and most likely either gained a lot of information during her journey to him, or was simply a very persuasive woman, and people in that time thought 'Nope. The only way a woman could win over a man was with the power of sky daddy.'
In March of 1429, dressed in white armor and riding a white horse, Joan led an army to fend of the Siege of Orléans. After sending off a defiant letter to the enemy, Joan led several French assaults against them, driving the Anglo-Burgundians from their bastion and forcing their retreat across the Loire River.
After her victory, Joan's reputation spread far and wide among French forces. She and her followers escorted Charles across enemy territory to Reims, taking towns that resisted by force and enabling his coronation as King Charles VII in July 1429.
Joan told Charles that the French should press their advantage with an attempt to retake Paris, but Charles declined, as his bestie, Georges de La Trémoille, warned him that Joan was becoming too powerful. The Anglo-Burgundians were able to fortify their positions in Paris and turned back an attack led by Joan in September.
In the spring of 1430, the king ordered Joan to confront a Burgundian assault on Compiège. In her effort to save the town and its inhabitants, she was thrown from her horse and was left outside the town's gates as they closed. The Burgundians then took her captive.
In the trial that followed, Joan was ordered to answer to some 70 charges against her, including witchcraft, heresy and dressing like a man, to which I say...
It is a piece of freaking fabric, who cares what gender wears it?
The Anglo-Burgundians were aiming to get rid of the young leader as well as discredit Charles, who owed his coronation to her. Charles was a little pussy, and instead of sticking with the woman he practically owed his kingship to, he was all 'Joan of who? Nah mate. Doesnt ring a bell. Do whatever.'
Christ on a stick, I hate so many men. I'm not a misandrist, I'm just a logical person.
In May 1431, after a year in captivity and under threat of death, Joan relented and signed a confession denying that she had ever received divine guidance.
Look, it's my shocked face.
But, several days later, she wore 'mens clothing' again and was sentenced to death.
She was sentenced to death. For wrapping pieces of fabric around her body. Let that sink in.
On the morning of May 30, 1431, at the age of 19, Joan was taken to the old marketplace of Rouen and burned at the stake.
Her fame only increased after her death, however, and 20 years later a new trial ordered by Charles VII cleared her name.
Where was that loyalty when she was on trial, huh, Charles? I will tell everyone that you knew about your men's plans to attack John the Fearless, don't you think I won't.
Long before Pope Benedict XV canonized her in 1920, Joan of Arc had attained mythic stature, inspiring numerous works of art and literature over the centuries, including the classic silent film 'The Passion of Joan of Arc.' where she was played by the fabulous Renée Jeanne Falconetti.
Despite the fact that most people now hold Joan of Arc in high regard, that doesn't distract me from what ended her. Cowardly men, patriarchy, betrayal from the man she catapulted to greatness, and needless gendering.
And people wonder why I'd choose the bear.
well, that was nine hundred and eighty-two words.
