Joan of Arc - 1 Hour History: Battles, Trial, & Zany Conspiracy Theories | Bedtime Sleep Stories about History (not A.I.)
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This episode chronicles the remarkable life of Joan of Arc, from her peasant beginnings and divine visions to her pivotal role in the Hundre
Key takeaways
- Joan of Arc claimed to receive divine instructions from voices and angels to save France from the English.
- Her military leadership was instrumental in lifting the siege of Orleans in 1429.
Main topics
- The Hundred Years' War
- The Siege of Orleans
Notable quotes
I must do what God has willed, for this is no work of my choosing.
Conclusion
A compelling blend of historical biography and intriguing legend that
Transcript preview
Speaker 1 (0:00) Welcome to Calm History. I'm Harris, and this podcast is my quirky mix of education with sedation. So go ahead, lean back, put up your feet, and allow some Calm History to distract and relax your overactive brain squirrels. The story of Joan of Arc. Speaker 1 (0:32) During the Hundred Years' War between the French and the English, a young French peasant girl born in 1412 gained much fame. Her name was Joan of Arc. Her father may have accidentally planted the seed of her future in her head by frequently telling her about the sad condition of France. He explained how the French population had not regained its former size since the Black Death of the mid-14th century and how its merchants were isolated from foreign markets. Additionally, nearly all the fighting of the Hundred Years' War had taken place in France, he explained to her. The major problem with this was that the English army used scorched earth tactics which further devastated the French economy. She also learned that the King of France was so fearful of a total English victory that he did not want to be crowned. Joan reflected on all of this and felt great pity for her country. She brooded over the matter so much that she began to have visions of angels. She also heard strange voices, which said to her, Joan, you can protect your country from the English. At last, these strange visions and voices made her believe that she had a mission from God, and she became more determined to try to save France. When she told her father and mother of her purpose, they tried to persuade her that the visions of angels and the voices were just dreams. Joan held firm and replied, I must do what God has willed, for this is no work of my choosing. The village priest, her young companions, even the governor of the town, all tried to stop her, but it was in vain. To the governor she said, I must do the work that I have been called to do. People slowly began to believe in her mission. At last, some wealthy supporters helped her to make the journey to the town of Chinon, where the French king, Charles VII, was living. Before heading out, she was asked if she was going to travel through hostile territories in her dress. She heeded the subtle advice and agreed to switch to a soldier's outfit. This choice would later be used to support the charge of cross-dressing against her. When Joan arrived at Chinon, a force of French soldiers was preparing to go to the south of France to relieve the city of Orleans, which the English were besieging. Speaker 1 (3:42) King Charles received Joan kindly and listened to what she had to say with deep attention. Joan spoke modestly, but with a calm belief of her divine inspiration. At this point in time, the French army had not achieved any major victories for a generation. The king and his nobles talked the matter over. and finally it was decided to allow Joan to lead an army of about 5,000 men against the English at Orleans. Plate armor was commissioned for her, and she received a banner of her own design. A sword was brought for her from underneath the altar of a church in central France. Let me pause to ask you a quick question. Speaker 1 (4:40) Would you like to try to fall asleep to some gentle whispering? If so, try my other podcast called Sleep Whispers. To find it, just search your podcast player for, you guessed it, Sleep Whispers. All right, back to the episode. Speaker 1 (5:09) In April of 1429, at the age of 18 years, Joan led her soldiers from Chinon. She was mounted on a powerful warhorse and clad in white armor from head to foot. In one hand, she carried her sword. In the other hand, her own white banner embroidered with lilies. Her soldiers followed and guarded her with their full support. Even before she joined the army, her presence created devotion and the hope of divine assistance. Her effect on morale was powerful. She inspired the whole army with courage and faith as she talked about her visions. Even the news of her coming may have encouraged the people of Orleans to continue their resistance. Speaker 1 (6:07) When she arrived at the besieged city of Orleans, she fearlessly rode round its walls while the English soldiers looked on in astonishment. She was able to enter Orleans despite the efforts of the besiegers to prevent her. She aroused the city by her cheerful, confident words and then led her soldiers forth to give battle to the English. One after another, the English forts were taken. When only the strongest remained, and Joan was leading the attacking force, she received a slight wound. Joan was carried out of the battle to be attended by a surgeon. Her soldiers began to retreat. Wait, she commanded. Eat and drink and rest, for as soon as I recover, I will lead you back to the fort, and you will fight with renewed vigor. In a few minutes, she mounted her horse again and rode rapidly up to the fort. This inspired her soldiers to keep fighting. The very next day, the enemy's troops were forced to withdraw from the city, and the siege ended. Speaker 1 (7:29) The French soldiers were jubilant at the victory and called Joan the Maid of Orleans. She led the French in several other battles, and again and again her troops were victorious. At last, the English were driven far to the north of France. Speaker 1 (7:52) Then King Charles, urged by Joan, went to the Cathedral of Reims with 12,000 soldiers, and there, with splendid ceremonies, was officially crowned king. Joan, holding her white banner, stood near King Charles during the coronation. When the ceremony was finished, Joan requested to return to her home to see her parents. Speaker 1 (8:22) However, the king urged her to stay a bit longer because France was not entirely freed from the English. Joan agreed, but she had lost her connection with heavenly voices and along with it, her confidence to win battles. She took part in an attack on the army of the Duke of Burgundy and was taken prisoner. The Duke delivered her into the hands of the English, who put her in prison. She lay in prison for a year and finally was charged with sorcery and brought to trial. Her trial was long, exhausting, and was a foregone conclusion before it began. Charges against her were not clearly established, and she was not even read the charges until after her interrogations began. Joan was subjected to lengthy interrogations without any legal counsel. and there is evidence that some trial records were falsified. In spite of all of this, witnesses at the trial were impressed by her control, her prudence, and her poise. In one exchange, she was asked if she knew she was in God's grace. The question was meant as a trap. If she answered positively, she would be in violation of the church doctrine and charged with heresy. If she answered negatively, then she would have confessed her own guilt. Joan avoided the trap by stating that if she was not in God's grace, she hoped God would put her there. And if she was in God's grace, then she hoped she would remain so. Speaker 1 (10:26) Regardless of her best efforts, she was found guilty of heresy. In 1431, at the age of 19 years, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. The English may have had a victory with her false trial, but everything Joan had set in motion came to fruition for France. The English never recovered their momentum in the Hundred Years' War that they lost when Joan rallied her country in soldiers. Also to Joan's wish, Charles VII retained his crown as King of France. The English verdict of her trial also did not stand the test of time. In 1955, a retrial began at Notre Dame Cathedral. The depositions from about 115 witnesses were reviewed. In the end, the court declared that the original trial was unjust, malicious, slanderous, fraudulent, and deceitful. The process, findings, and consequences of the original trial were all declared nullified. Speaker 1 (11:50) The stain on the name of Joan of Arc was ceremoniously erased when one of the copies of the Articles of Accusation against her was formally torn up. Joan of Arc has become a semi-legendary figure, and to many, she is a hero and a saint. I think I did a very poor job of describing her first and most important battle. Here's what I basically remember telling you. Joan got on her horse. She waved her banner. And she won the Battle of Orleans. What? Huh? Where are the details? What happened exactly? Well, I may have explained it a little more than that. But whatever it was, it was meager and unsatisfying to me. But for my own curiosity... and possibly yours, I want to know the details of our first big battle of Orleans. In this episode, I'll begin by explaining the state of war that was occurring between France and England prior to Joan's involvement. Then, I'll explain what was happening in the French city of Orleans prior to Joan's arrival. Speaker 1 (13:29) And then I'll have Joan ride in on her horse, and you will finally get to hear the details of the Battle of Orleans. I hope you enjoy it. Joan of Arc and the Battle of Orleans. Seldom has the extinction of a nation's independence appeared more inevitable than was the case for France. Speaker 1 (13:59) A series of dreadful defeats had thinned the armies of France and daunted the spirits of her soldiers. Now, English armies occupied the fairest portions of her territory. In the autumn of 1428, the English, who were already masters of northern France, prepared their forces for the conquest of the southern provinces of France. Speaker 1 (14:32) Sitting between these northern and southern provinces of France was the city of Orleans. This city was looked upon as the last stronghold of the French National Party. If the English could once obtain possession of it, their victorious progress