This article is in first person, since it is the speech I give when I do live steel choreography.
I am Jeanette du Lys, called by the English, Joan of Arc, and by my countrymen, La Pucelle I was born in the little village of Domremy, which is in the eastern part of France. In the year of our Lord 1428, when I had passed but 16 summers upon God’s good earth, we had to flee our homes and take refuge in Vaucoulers. Upon returning home, I saw a bright light in my father’s garden, and Saint Michael, St Catherine, and St Margaret appeared to me and told me it was my fate to raise the siege of Orleans and see Charles crowned king of France.
Robert de Baudricourt gave me armour, an escort and letters of introduction to the royal court., though he had first sent me from his presence with a cuff on the head. When I arrived at Court, I disregarded the imposter on the throne and picked the true king out from where he had concealed himself among the courtiers. When I spoke to him, he believed my vision made me his chef de guerre, and set me at the head of an army. “At the figurehead of an army,” I should have said.
But I did not sit quietly by and let men of hesitation allow France to die in their cold hands. Arming myself at night, I rode out of the besieged city to rally his own troops against the English and led them to victory, where they would have found only defeat.
Always, Dunois and the other captains counseled caution and hesitation, and I, boldness. “You have had your council,” I told them, “and I have had mine. And believe me, the council of the Lord will be carried out and your council will perish.” So we took back Orleans, and Beaugency, and Jargeau, and cleared the path for the dauphin to travel to Rheims for his coronation, which occurred in July of last year (1429).
Then, it seemed to me that perhaps my work was done , that perhaps I could go home to my father, my sister and my brother. But such a bold course as I have set cannot be lightly cast aside, and so I continued in the path of battle, to lead men in the field for the glory of God and the freedom of France.
Would that I had stopped there…and gone back to my fields and my sheep!
We were repulsed from Paris and, at Compeigne, while covering the retreat of my men, I was pulled from my horse and taken captive. So here I lodge, under the guardianship of Sir John of Luxembourg, who treats me as though I were his own sister. I hear that a ransom of $10,000 gold crowns has been offered or me by the English. Shall King Charles recall the maid who led him to his throne and treat with the Burgundians for my release, lest I fall into English hands? What does the future hold for me?
Sources:
The Medieval and Renaissance World. Ed - Esmond Wright.
Women Warlords. Tim Newark.
The Story of Civilization VI: The Reformation. Will Durant.
Links:
Archive.Joan-of-Arc.org - A web site devoted to Joan of Arc, which seems to try to provide the most accurate historical information that exists.
