Joan of Arc: Time Traveler

Chapter 5: Advocate of the People

As the dust settled from the monumental peace negotiations, Joan of Arc found herself facing a new challenge. The war might have ended, but the suffering of the common people continued. Poverty, inequality, and injustice were rampant throughout both France and England. Joan, guided by her unwavering faith and sense of purpose, knew that her work was far from over.

In the spring of 1442, Joan embarked on a journey that would take her to the heart of both nations. She traveled from village to village, city to city, listening to the stories of those who had been left behind by progress and prosperity.

In a small farming community outside of Rouen, Joan met with a group of peasants who were struggling under the weight of oppressive taxes. Their leader, a weathered man named Jacques, spoke of children going hungry and families losing their homes.

"My lady," he said, his voice trembling with emotion, "we rejoiced when we heard of the peace you brokered. But for us, little has changed. The nobles grow fat while we starve."

Joan listened intently, her heart heavy with the weight of their suffering. That night, as she prayed for guidance, a vision came to her of a new kind of society, one where the burdens and benefits were shared more equally.

The next day, she began to draft what would become known as the "Charter of Common Rights." This revolutionary document called for a series of reforms, including:

1. A more equitable system of taxation, with rates based on one's ability to pay

2. The establishment of public granaries to ensure that no one would go hungry during times of hardship

3. The right of all children, regardless of birth or status, to receive an education

4. The creation of a system of courts accessible to all, where even the poorest citizens could seek justice

5. Protections for workers, including limits on working hours and safety standards

Joan took her charter to King Charles VII, arguing passionately for its implementation. "Your Majesty," she said, "a nation is only as strong as its weakest members. By lifting the lowliest among us, we elevate all of France."

The king, mindful of Joan's growing influence and the debt he owed her, agreed to implement the charter on a trial basis in several provinces. The results were dramatic. Within months, reports began to pour in of increased productivity, decreased crime, and a general improvement in the quality of life.

Encouraged by this success, Joan turned her attention to another pressing issue: the treatment of women in society. She had long been troubled by the limited opportunities available to her sisters in faith, and now she saw a chance to effect real change.

Working with a group of learned women from convents and universities, Joan drafted the "Proclamation of Feminine Dignity." This document argued for women's right to education, to own property, and to have a voice in both civic and religious affairs.

The proclamation was met with fierce resistance from many quarters. Conservative nobles and clergy members denounced it as an affront to the natural order. But Joan, drawing on the same courage that had led her into battle, refused to back down.

She traveled tirelessly, speaking to crowds of women and sympathetic men. Her words ignited a spark of hope in many who had long resigned themselves to a life of subservience.

In Lyon, she established the first "School for Daughters," where girls from all walks of life could receive an education previously reserved for the sons of nobility. The school quickly became a model for similar institutions across France.