Joan of Arc the Female Warrior who had a big role in the Hundred Years War - The life of Joan of Arc
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00:00France, in the 1400s, was a kingdom in turmoil. The land was ravaged by war, famine, and political instability. The Hundred Years' War, a series of conflicts waged between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France, had left the country in a state of chaos and despair.
00:16England and France were locked in a bitter war. The conflict had been ongoing for decades, with neither side able to secure a decisive victory. The English forces, well-trained and well-equipped, had managed to gain significant ground in French territory.
00:31The English armies had the upper hand. Their victories on the battlefield had demoralized the French troops and citizens alike. The French nobility was divided, and the common people suffered under the weight of heavy taxes and constant fear of invasion. Many French cities had fallen, hope was fading fast.
00:49The once-proud Kingdom seemed on the brink of collapse, with its people yearning for a saviour, someone who could turn the tide and restore their homeland to its former glory.
00:59It was during this dark hour that a young peasant girl named Joan of Arc emerged. Born into a humble family, Joan was an unlikely hero, yet she possessed an unshakable faith and a fierce determination that would soon change the course of history.
01:16Joan was born in the small village of Domremy, France, in 1412. Growing up in a rural setting, she was deeply religious and claimed to have received visions from saints instructing her to support Charles VII and help drive the English out of France.
01:31She would rise from humble beginnings to become one of the most iconic figures in history. Despite her lack of formal military training, Joan's charisma and conviction inspired those around her.
01:42She convinced Charles VII to allow her to lead an army to lift the siege of Orlau. Joan of Arc's story is one of courage, faith, and unwavering determination. Her leadership and bravery on the battlefield turned the tide in favour of the French.
01:56She became a symbol of hope and resilience, rallying the French forces to several key victories.
02:02She was a beacon of hope in a time of despair. Her presence on the battlefield was more than just a morale boost. It was a divine sign for many that France was destined to reclaim its sovereignty.
02:15Joan's faith and visions were seen as a divine endorsement of the French cause. Her unwavering belief in her divine mission inspired the French people to fight back against English oppression.
02:27Joan's influence extended beyond the battlefield. She played a crucial role in the coronation of Charles VII, solidifying his claim to the throne and uniting the French people under his rule.
02:38Her story continues to captivate and inspire people around the world centuries after her death.
02:43Joan of Arc's legacy is a testament to the power of faith, courage, and the indomitable human spirit.
02:50She remains a symbol of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest times, a single light can shine brightly and change the course of history.
03:02Joan's childhood was typical of a peasant girl in her time. She learned domestic skills from her mother. She never learned to read or write. Her world was small, but her faith was strong.
03:12Joan was a devout Christian from a young age. She attended church regularly. She prayed with deep devotion. Even as a child, Joan was known for her piety and kindness.
03:22She helped the poor and sick in her village. She possessed a strong sense of justice and compassion.
03:28This deep faith and compassion would later guide her on her extraordinary journey.
03:32When Joan was 13 years old, her life took an extraordinary turn. She began to experience visions. She saw bright lights. She heard voices. The voices belonged to St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret.
03:47These saints became her divine guides. They instructed her to help the Dauphin, Charles reclaim the French throne from the English.
03:54At first, Joan was frightened by these visions. She questioned their authenticity. However, the voices persisted, becoming stronger and clearer over time.
04:04They filled her with a sense of purpose and urgency. Joan could no longer ignore their call. She believed she was chosen by God for a special mission.
04:12Driven by her faith and the divine guidance she received, Joan embarked on a daring mission. She was not just any young woman. She was a beacon of hope for a nation in turmoil.
04:25Her visions and voices, which she believed were from saints, gave her the courage to step into a world dominated by men and war.
04:32She was determined to meet the Dauphin, Charles, and convince him of her divine mission.
04:37This was no small feat, as gaining an audience with royalty required more than just determination. It required a sense of purpose and an unshakable belief in her cause.
04:47In 1429, at the age of 17, Joan travelled to Chignon, where Charles was located. The journey was long and arduous, filled with the perils of war-torn France.
04:57Yet Joan's resolve never wavered. She knew that her mission was of utmost importance, not just for her, but for the future of her country.
05:05Her journey was fraught with danger. France was a battleground. The English and their allies controlled vast territories, and the French were demoralized.
05:15Every step Joan took was a step into the unknown, but she was undeterred. Her faith was her shield, and her mission was her sword.
05:23Yet Joan persevered, driven by her unwavering belief. She prayed fervently, seeking strength and guidance.
05:31Her determination was not just a personal quest. It was a divine calling that she felt deeply in her soul.
05:38She knew that her success could change the course of history. When Joan finally met Charles, she impressed him with her piety and determination.
05:46Her presence was commanding, and her words were filled with conviction.
05:50She spoke of her visions and the divine guidance she had received, and Charles, desperate for a sign, listened intently.
05:56She convinced him of her divine mission. Her passion and sincerity were undeniable.
06:02Charles saw in Joan a glimmer of hope, a chance to reclaim his kingdom and restore France's glory.
06:08He was moved by her faith and her unwavering resolve.
06:12Charles, desperate for a miracle, agreed to provide Joan with an army.
06:16This was a monumental decision, one that would change the course of the war.
06:19Joan, now with the backing of the Dauphin, was ready to lead her people into battle, guided by her divine visions.
06:28He hoped that she, guided by God, could turn the tide of the war in France's favour.
06:32With her faith as her guide and an army at her command, Joan of Arc was poised to become a legendary figure in history,
06:39a symbol of courage, faith, and determination.
06:45Section 5. The Siege of Orléans
06:47Joan Joan's first military objective was to lift the siege of Orléans.
06:52Orléans, a strategic city on the Loire River, had been under English siege for months.
06:57Its fall would be a crushing blow to the French.
07:00Joan, with her unwavering faith and tactical acumen, rallied the French troops.
07:05She led them into battle with courage and determination.
07:08Joan's arrival at Orléans boosted the morale of the French army.
07:12They fought with renewed vigour, inspired by her presence.
07:15Within nine days the siege was lifted.
07:18This victory was a turning point in the Hundred Years' War.
07:21It marked the beginning of France's resurgence.
07:27Following the victory at Orléans, Joan continued to lead the French army to further victories.
07:32She liberated the towns of Pathé, Troyes, and Chalons.
07:36Her military successes paved the way for the Dauphin Charles to be crowned King Charles VII of France.
07:41The coronation took place at Rheims Cathedral, a traditional site for French coronations.
07:47Joan's presence at the coronation was symbolic of her pivotal role in Charles' ascension to the throne.
07:53She stood beside him as he was crowned, a testament to her unwavering faith and her contribution to the liberation of France.
07:59Her mission, as she believed it to be, was nearing its end.
08:02Joan's string of victories came to an end in 1430.
08:09While defending the town of Compiègne, she was captured by Burgundian forces, allies of the English.
08:15The Burgundians handed Joan over to the English, who saw her as a threat to their hold on power in France.
08:20She was imprisoned in Rouen, the English seat of government in France.
08:25The English, eager to discredit Joan and undermine Charles VII's legitimacy, put her on trial for heresy and witchcraft.
08:33The trial was politically motivated.
08:35Joan, a young woman of unwavering faith, was subjected to a gruelling interrogation by her English captors.
08:41They aimed to force a confession from her.
08:43Despite facing relentless questioning and threats, Joan refused to renounce her faith.
08:52The tribunal, composed of learned men and clergy, sought to break her spirit with accusations of witchcraft and heresy.
09:00They questioned her visions, her motives, and her very sanity,
09:04hoping to force a confession that would discredit her and the cause she championed.
09:09But Joan stood firm, her eyes blazing with conviction.
09:12She spoke of her divine guidance with unwavering certainty, describing the voices of saints that had led her to victory in battle.
09:20Her courage and conviction in the face of such overwhelming adversity only solidified her image as a symbol of unwavering faith and resistance.
09:30The people who heard of her trial were moved by her steadfastness, and her legend began to grow even before her tragic end.
09:37However, her defiance was not enough to save her.
09:39On May 30th, 1431, Joan of Arc was found guilty of heresy.
09:44The verdict was a foregone conclusion, a political manoeuvre designed to undermine the French morale and justify the English occupation.
09:52The tribunal's declaration was met with a mix of sorrow and outrage by those who had come to see Joan as a beacon of hope.
10:00She was condemned to death.
10:02At the age of 19, she was burned at the stake in the marketplace of Rouen.
10:07The execution was a grim spectacle, intended to serve as a warning to any who might dare to defy the English rule.
10:15As the flames consumed her, Joan's last words were a prayer, her faith unshaken even in her final moments.
10:21Her ashes were scattered in the Seine River, a final attempt to erase her from history, but instead of fading away, her story spread like wildfire, inspiring countless others to take up her cause.
10:33The river that carried her remains became a symbol of the enduring spirit of resistance.
10:38Her execution was a desperate attempt by the English to silence her and extinguish the flame of French resistance she had ignited.
10:46Yet in trying to destroy her, they only made her a martyr, a symbol of courage and faith that would inspire generations to come.
10:54Joan of Arc's legacy lived on, a testament to the power of conviction and the enduring fight for freedom.
10:59Joan of Arc's life, though tragically cut short, left an indelible mark on history.
11:08She became a national heroine of France, a symbol of unwavering faith, courage and patriotism.
11:14Her image continues to inspire people around the world, centuries after her death.
11:19In 1920, Joan of Arc was canonised as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
11:24She remains a powerful symbol of female empowerment, religious devotion and resistance against oppression.
11:31Her story reminds us that even in the darkest of times, courage and faith can inspire hope and change the course of history.