Joan of Arc free essay sample

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc Thesis statement: Joan led a fascinating life and is one of the most heroic women in all of history: in her early years she struggled with being different, in her mid-life she was a military leader, and in the time of her death she was wrongly accused of something she had no part in. We will write a custom essay sample on Joan of Arc or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page l. Introduction Child of God B. Teen Years 2. Visions A. Chinon 1 . Army Coming to an End B. Last Battle 2. Trial V. Conclusion A. Kindness to others 1 . Voices Ill. Young at War B. Battles 2. Orleans A. Coronation 1. Capture To the French, Joan of Arc is known as Jeanne DArc. Of her many names, she referred o herself as La Pucelle or the Maid. Joan led a fascinating life and is one of the most heroic women in all of history: in her early years she struggled with being different, in her mid-life she was a military leader, and in the time of her death she was wrongly accused of something she had no part in. Jeanne was born in the Barrois region of eastern France in the town of Domremy. She was born on January 6 of 1411 to the parents of Jacques Darc and Isabelle Romee. Her family was in the French peasant class, but highly religious. She was devoted to her catholic religion, and was often looked down upon by other children. Jeanne was very kind to the poor, she would give money, and even give up her bed to guest. One remarkable feature about Jeanne was that sne snared common characteristics witn ner contemporary female visionaries, who were held at a high honor. These include: extreme piety, claims of direct communication with the saints and a reliance on individual experience, as opposed to that found through the institutions of the church of the presence of God (St. Joan of Arc). Historians believe Jeanne was around twelve or thirteen when she began to hear voices. They claimed to be the voices of the saints Michael, Catherine and Margaret. In her younger years, they simply said things such as, be a good girl, and go to church often. When Jeanne was seventeen, the voices began giving her detailed instructions. The first was to go to Chinon and speak with the dauphin Charles. In May of 1428, Jeanne traveled to Vancouleurs and asked to join the dauphin and his cause, but was turned away. On her third trip to ask permission, she was finally allowed to go to Chinon (Pickles 21-25). After reaching Chinon, Jeanne waited two days to meet with Charles. Upon their first meeting, Charles tested Jeanne to see if God was really with her. Jeanne had never seen the dauphin before; therefore, the room full of people were shocked with the results. Charles had dressed one of his guards in his clothing, and he stood in the crowd with three hundred others. Jeanne did not go to the man dressed as the dauphin; instead she walked to Charles and fell to her knees (Pickles 25-30). She was then examined by leading churchmen for three weeks. They then accepted that God was with her and tell Charles to use her services. Jeanne is promptly named Chief of War (Pickles 25-30) (Gascoigne). At the time of Jeannes birth, France and England had a truce. England ttacked and invaded France in August of 1415; which began the Hundred Years War. England got a heavy lead due to Frances lack of king. There was some question of Charles paternity. Both he and Henry VI claimed to be the heir to the throne. Henry was the young King of England who had allied with the Burgundians. He controlled the entire northern half of France, including Reims, where all kings are crowned. If Charles wanted to be king, he had to be anointed with the sacred oil from Sainte Amboute in Reims (Gascoigne) (St. Joan of Arc). One of Jeannes first moves as Chief of War was to reform the army. She banished and expelled all prostitutes, and made the soldiers go to church and confess. As a result, the soldiers gave up their old habits of swearing, looting, and harassing civilian population (Williamson). When Jeanne was seventeen, she set to lift the siege at Orleans.