The Rest Is History

633. Joan of Arc: Saviour of France (Part 2)

January 8, 2026

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  • Joan of Arc's initial impact was demonstrated by an ultimatum letter dictated on March 22, 1429, demanding the English surrender the towns they held in France, written by an illiterate peasant girl to the King of England. 
  • The Dauphin, Charles, agreed to meet Joan despite warnings about her male attire because he was desperate, influenced by supporters like Yolande, and because her mission aligned with existing French prophecies about a virgin savior. 
  • Joan's arrival at Orléans, accompanied by a relief convoy, was immediately complicated by her being on the wrong side of the Loire River, but her conviction ultimately swayed military leaders like the Bastard of Orléans to adopt an aggressive strategy that led to the successful lifting of the siege on May 7, 1429. 

Segments

Joan’s Ultimatum to English
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(00:00:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Joan of Arc dictated an ultimatum to the King of England and his captains on March 22, 1429, demanding they surrender French towns or face military compulsion.
  • Summary: The letter addressed the King of England, the Duke of Bedford (Regent of France), and various lieutenants, demanding satisfaction to the King of Heaven and surrender of occupied towns. Joan warned the English archers before Orléans to leave France or expect her to compel them to depart by force. This letter was dictated by the illiterate peasant girl to the besiegers of Orléans, the lynchpin city.
Describing Joan of Arc
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(00:03:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Joan of Arc, or Jeanne La Pousselle, was described as dark-haired, attractive, and notably dressed in men’s clothing (hose, breeches, doublet) for protection against sexual assault.
  • Summary: She cut her hair in the style of a knight and traveled with a sword, two pages, and four men-at-arms on a dangerous 250-mile journey starting in February 1429. Despite never riding before, she became a proficient horsewoman during this trek. Her attire was specifically chosen for protection, consisting of tightly knotted hose and breeches under a grey doublet, black tunic, and black wool hat.
Journey to Chinon and Prophecies
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(00:06:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Joan halted at the shrine of Saint-Catherine de Fierbois, sacred to escaped prisoners of war, before dictating a letter to the Dauphin, Charles of Valois, whose legitimacy was questioned as he awaited coronation in Reims.
  • Summary: The Dauphin, legally Charles VII but widely called the Dauphin due to his precarious position following the murder of John the Fearless, lived under the shadow of Anglo-Burgundian control north of the Loire. Joan’s mission resonated with decades-old French prophecies, citing figures like Merlin and Bede, which foretold a virgin sent by God would redeem France. Her energy and charisma, described as an ‘astonishing ability to compel credence,’ ultimately secured her meeting with the Dauphin.
Meeting the Dauphin and Scrutiny
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(00:12:41)
  • Key Takeaway: At Chinon, Joan declared to the Dauphin that God commanded him to be consecrated and crowned at Reims, a promise that convinced him despite fears she might be a sorceress.
  • Summary: The Duke of Alençon, known as the poorest man in France after his father’s death and his own capture, became a strong supporter, sensing her intensity. To test her claims, Joan underwent physical inspection to confirm her virginity and a theological examination (descretio spirituum) at Poitiers by scholars, who ultimately approved her mission. The scholars advised the King to allow her to proceed to Orléans, placing faith in God.
Preparation for War
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(00:22:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Joan departed for Orléans in late April 1429, equipped with a handmade white suit of armor, a magical sword found at Fierbois inscribed with ‘Jizu and Maria,’ and a magnificent white silk banner.
  • Summary: Her banner featured golden fleur-de-lis, the words ‘Jizu and Maria,’ and an image of Christ flanked by angels. She rode a black horse gifted by the Duke of Alençon and was accompanied by a military retinue led by her squire, Jean d’Aulon. Her convoy, intended to relieve the starving city, included priests singing hymns and required soldiers to confess daily, which paradoxically seemed to boost morale.
Arrival and Strategy Shift
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(00:26:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Upon arrival on April 28, Joan discovered the relief force was on the south bank of the Loire, opposite Orléans, a strategic error she blamed on the Bastard of Orléans, Jean.
  • Summary: The English stronghold commanding the bridge approach on the south bank was Les Tourelle, led by Sir William Glasdale. The initial plan, devised by the Bastard of Orléans, was to cross upriver and approach from the east, but Joan’s prayer miraculously changed the wind, allowing supplies to reach the city via barges. Only Joan and 200 men-at-arms crossed to the north bank, entering Orléans triumphantly.
The Assault on Les Tourelle
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(00:42:06)
  • Key Takeaway: On May 7, 1429, Joan persuaded the French captains to attack the formidable English fortress of Les Tourelle on the south bank, leading to the death of commander Sir William Glasdale and the end of the siege.
  • Summary: After capturing an isolated eastern fortress, Joan insisted on immediate assault against the main defenses, overriding the captains’ caution. During the attack, Joan was struck in the neck by a crossbow bolt and temporarily withdrawn, but her squire retrieved her banner, inspiring the renewed French assault. Glasdale drowned in the river after losing his footing, and the remaining 500 English defenders were massacred, leading the rest of the English forces to abandon the siege the next day.