The Emergence of Joan of Arc During the Hundred Years War

Joan was more than just your average teenager. Although born as a peasant girl in the religious city of Domremy, France, during her existence Joan was leading French armies into war. Joan was born drug of the Hundred Years’ War that was not a hundred years, the war was from 1337-1453. The Hundred Years’ War between France and England. It all started with the death of Charles IV without a son to succeed his throne they decided to choose Philip Charles VI.

Some were displeased with this decision because most believed Edward III of England had a stronger claim to the throne and that he should be King. Edward III responded with his claim to the throne which began the war. The course of history is changed when Joan enters the war. Joan started having visions of saints directed by God telling her to help the French defeat the English army and drive them out of the lands. Joan had no experience at all, but she was driven to train herself till she was technically and tactically proficient. She was resilient in her determination to meet with Charles VII to share her visions and align him by her side to fight for his rightful place.

Joan was a change agent even changing her appearance then. Women were not allowed to read let alone join the army. Joan cut her hair dressed like a man and adopted the habits of the men she traveled with sleeping, dressing, and acting like them building the respect they had for her. The journey to meet with Charles was dangerous, but Joan was a risk taker and was motivated. When she finally meets with Charles, she convinces him and began her fight at Orleans where the town was being sieged. Joan rode into the city with her banner raised high uplifting her soldiers to fight like lions ending the siege making Charles VII King. Joan later was captured by the English put on trial and burned at the stake. Joan became a martyr. Joan inspired France, won major battles, ended the English threat making what we call today as the modern world.

Age has nothing to do with maturity as we have been taught from Joan, her faith made her actions seem godlike, her monarchy was a lightning rod gathering and leading her troops to success. Joan, in the short life that she lived was successful because she inspired her troops and France itself to fight for their country. History has always been Eurocentric middle-class, white male dominated because of our shortcomings. Joan completely changed that by single handedly putting women in history as leaders and warriors. It would be a stretch to say Joan must have inspired the Eastern world in allowing women to be in the military, but that may be true considering how we copy everything from the western world. Joan was nothing less than extraordinary, and her leadership is recognized and respected by all who know her story.