Joan of Arc “The Maid”

18 year old girl, white armor, black hourse, with a bannner, peasant girl leading an army against Loire castle

Loire Castle today Born in 1412 in France, she felt herself called to be the Savior of France.

She began having visions at the age of 13 She began having visions at the age of 13. “I always saw a bright light from the direction of the voice… It told me to behave, to be good, to pray,” and she said it filled her with joy. Her family were poor peasants. Jeanne tended the animals, and had little education. She learned to ride a horse by riding her father’s cows. 100 Years War was in full swing and much of France was under English control. The French monarchy was in a bad state. At age 14, Charles VII had assumed the title of "Dauphin" as heir to the throne of his insane father. Jeanne first heard voices around 1424. She reported that the archangel Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret told her to drive the English out of France. She was also instructed to bring the Dauphin to Rheims to be crowned King of France. Jeanne was convinced that these voices and visions were from God.

She felt herself called to be the savior of France which meant convincing Charles VII to seek the crown and to make his coronation possible. She had 3 goals: Crown the King of France, Break the Seige on Orleans, prepare a cathedral in enemy territory (Reims) for the king to be crowned.

Joan was responsible for the victory at Orelans in 1429, Paris was liberated, and the English were driven from France. Her passion was that every nation should be allowed to govern itself.

“Forward, Gentle Duke, to the assault. Have no doubt “Forward, Gentle Duke, to the assault. Have no doubt. The time is right when it pleases God. And one ought to act when God wishes. Act and God will act.” She called herself “The Maid.” She had a spirit of commitment that knew no fear.

This is one of 16 windows at St. Joan of Arc church in Philadelphia This is one of 16 windows at St. Joan of Arc church in Philadelphia. It is meant to represent her saddness at the sight of the wounded and the dying. She was often distressed a the woes of war and the deaths of her enemies.

She was taken captive by the Burgundians, British allies She was taken captive by the Burgundians, British allies. She attempted escape twice. Tore up floor boards & jumped 70 feet from a tower (knocked herself out). She was chained to a log after the escape events. When asked why despite her belief in God’s missionshe should try to escape, she answere: “God helps those who help themselves.” She spent 1 year in prison as they tried to prove her a heretic. She was wearied by sickness and sexually assaulted daily. England offered for a ransom of 10,000 gold crowns, but Charles did not ransom her.

70 men tried her. The trial is online 70 men tried her. The trial is online. She refused to take an oath to tell about her revelations. The visions told her to keep them secret. Are you in the grace of God? She ansered, Yes. If she had answered No, all would have been undone. She answered, “Yes, and if I am not, may God put me there. If I am, may God keep me there.” She warned them, “Your position of judging me is one of great peril.”

Barefoot, dressed in white, silent as the crowd jeered, comforted by the voices that told her this must be. She collapsed on to the platform. They palced a paper hat on her head labeled “heretic.” (but they had not proven that) She had said “Alas, will they treat me so cruelly and gorribly… I would rather be beheaded seven times than to be burned once.” When they chained her to the stake, she asked for a crucifix. A soldeir fastened two sticks together and handed it to her. She put it on her heart. A priest ran in for a cross and put it on a pole for her to fix her eyes on.

Throughout it all, she called, “Jesus, my Jesus Throughout it all, she called, “Jesus, my Jesus.” Her plight moved her enemies to pity, amazed at her courate. When she slumped, the jeering stopped. At her death, they spoke: “We are lost for we have burned a good and holy person.” She was burned for the least of charges: for the wearing of men’s clothes, referenced in Deuteronomy. They could get her on no other charge. She was burned in 1431 at the age of 19. In 1455, Joan’s mother demanded her daughter’s name be restored and the conviction papers were burned.

“ Forward, Gentle Duke, to the assault. Have no doubt “ Forward, Gentle Duke, to the assault. Have no doubt. The time is right when it pleases God. And one ought to act when God wishes. Act and God will act.”

References S. Michael Wilcox, BYU Education Week 2012 http://www.zedge.net/wallpaper/9134144/?cep=8, 14 Mar 2013 http://pacific-standard.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-birthday-joan-of-arc.html, 14 Mar 2013 http://www.maidofheaven.com/joanofarc_pictures4a2.asp, 14 Mar 2013 http://rgintothestudio.blogspot.com/2011/04/enchantment-of-castles.html, 14 Mar 2013 http://www.fairview.ws/sjoa_church/stained_glass/stained_glass_04.html, 14 Mar 2013 www.amazon.com, 14 Mar 2013 http://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/st-joan-of-arc.html, 14 Mar 2013 http://forums.hipinion.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31792&start=60, 14 Mar 2013 http://1morefilmblog.com/wordpress/the-trial-of-joan-of-arc-bresson-1962/, 14 Mar 2013 http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/slideshow-photo/07-the-prison-they-kept-joan-of-arc-in-by-travelpod-member-jess85-barentin-france.html?sid=10986952&fid=tp-2, 14 Mar 2013 http://www.squidoo.com/jeanne-d-arc, 14, Mar 2013