Her Army, victory and losses
Portrait of Charles VII, by Jean Fouquet, tempera on wood, Louvre Museum, Paris, c. 1445–1450
|
Once Joan of Arc had an army under her command, given by Charles VII she was also given a suit or armor and a large banner to show her pride that had two little angels on the outside of the words "Our Savior" to wield and show before her company. The first battle Joan of Arc fought was the Siege of Orléans, April 29th. She led her forces without opposition to the East gate and entered untouched, this is where her fighting begins, as her small army went to battle over the ever so important Orléans, with the English. She was hit by a few arrows during the battle but after minor dressing and removing she would always return to fight alongside her men. On May 8th, the siege was over and the English troops had fled from the city.
Her first offensive battle was The Battle of Jargeau, which took place from June 11 and 12, 1429. This happened shortly after the Siege, and it took upon that momentum and added to it. With two victories, and one even being the first offensive battle to be won in this generation during the 100 Year War the French were beginning to look up with great admiration to Joan of Arc, and her position only made her more inspiring. After many more battles, with wins, losses and some, decisive fights to say the least she fought at La Charite-sur-Loire, where she lost and her reputation and career slowly went down the drain. After The Siege at La Charite-sur-Loire, she fought at Battle at Compiegne, where Duke of Burgundy had threatened to attack. When she finally arrived she found the city under attack by Duke of Burgundy. She was able to sneak into the city unnoticed but after several days of fighting and resisting, outmanned and outgunned she and her men held back the army while the citizens escaped, during this she was captured by John of Luxembourg, one of The Duke of Burgendy's best captains. She was then sold from John of Luxembourg, to the English where she had an unfair and set up trial. After her trial it was agreed that if she were to dress in men's clothing again, as she had for the whole time she was a commander, then she would be sentenced to death. While still captive, her female dress being taken from her and male cloths being put in her cell she was forced to wear them and thus set up for a death sentence. She was to be burned at the steak. While being taken to her death place she asked a soldier to make her a small cross, he did and her hands were tied behind her back with the cross. As she was set ablaze her last words were Jesus, she screamed the name over and over, it was said that her shouts could be heard from all over the market place. |
|
|