Joan of Arc: Maid, Martyr, LegendThe End of the 100 Years War

Who Was Joan of Arc?

✤ Joan has always been a popular but mysterious figure

✤ People have called her all kinds of things over the centuries:

✤ Saint?

✤ Mystic?

✤ Witch?

✤ Heretic?

✤ Fanatic?

What is a Martyr?

✤ A person who is killed for their beliefs, and whose death inspires other to their cause.

✤ Think-Pair-Share: Can we think of any other examples of martyrs?

What characteristic make a Martyr?

✤ People die for their beliefs all time, but not all of them got other to follow.

✤ Think about our list of Martyrs, can we come up with a characteristic we think they all share that might explain why they gained followers?

Think-Pair- Share:

✤ What makes an inspiring leader?

Setting the Stage:

✤ 100 Years War was really three wars:

✤ Edwardian War: 1337-1360

✤ English Victory

✤ Caroline War: 1369-1389

✤ Minor French Victory

✤ Lancastrian War: 1415-53

✤ Where Joan comes into play

France is Collapsing

✤ In 1428 France seems in real danger of losing the war— they haven’t won a battle in a generation

✤ Britain and their Burgundian allies have taken the north of France

✤ They’ve captured Paris, and have the city of Orleans under siege

✤ France is led only by an un-crowned Prince, and has little hope left

Mission From God?✤ Right as things seem lost, help

comes from the unlikely Joan of Arc

✤ Joan is a 13-Year-Old peasant girl, living in a small town in France

✤ One day she has a vision from God

✤ God Tells her she needs to lead the French army to Victory

Gaining Support

✤ At 16, Joan headed to the nearby town of Valcours where she convinced the French commander she was on a mission from God

✤ The commander escorted her in disguise to meet the French Dauphin (uncrowned King)

✤ The Dauphin was inspired by Joan, and he gave her armour and sent her along with the army marching to try and save Orleans

Maid of Orleans

✤ When the French Army arrived at Orleans, they drove off the English attackers

✤ Joan of Arc was considered an inspiring leader and won the support of the French commanders and men

Joan’s Bold Plan

✤ After Orleans, Joan proposed a bold new strategy for the French

✤ She suggested attacking the English far to the north at Reims, deep within enemy territory.

✤ Why Reims? It was the traditional place where French kings were crowned

A New King, A New Hope

✤ Joan’s plan works, the English expected an attack on Paris and were surprised

✤ The Dauphin is crowned at Reims and becomes King

✤ This bold victory inspired the French people

✤ They win a series of victories across the north of France

The Death of Joan

✤ However, in 1430 Joan is captured by the English while defending a town

✤ The English put Joan on trial for the crime Heresy

✤ She is found guilty and is burned at the stake

Think-Pair-Share:

✤ Was Joan Guilty of Heresy?

Joan’s Legacy

✤ Inspired by Joan’s death, the French went on to drive the English out of France entirely*

✤ Joan was given a retrial by the Pope after the French victory and found innocent

✤ In 1920 Joan of Arc was made a Catholic saint

The End of War

✤ After 116 years the Hundred Years War was over in 1453

✤ The English monarchs gave up their claims on France

✤ The war had changed little in terms of borders, but had created a sense of national identity on both sides

Think-Pair-Share

✤ Why have generation after generation been so interested in Joan of Arc?

Who Was Joan?

✤ Now it’s your turn to make some judgements about Joan of Arc

✤ 1. read the handout with contemporary quotes about Joan, and some more background

✤ 2 Use the information to decide on 5 characteristic you think Joan had. Use evidence to support your claims.

Compare

✤ As a class we will share the characteristics we come up with

✤ How do these compare to the qualities of an inspiring leader we came up with?

Conclusion

✤ Joan of Arc’s martyrdom rallied the French, and almost certainly played a role in their winning the war

✤ Joan also helped create a sense of French identity in the troops

✤ Exit Slips