Joan of Arc Wins Battle of Orleans

A 15-Year-Old Girl Led an Army to Victory

On April 29, 1429, Joan of Arc, a 15-year-old French girl, led an army to capture the city of Orleans, a crucial victory in the Hundred Years' War. Suffering from tuberculosis, Joan still managed to rally her troops and secure a decisive win. This victory marked a turning point in the war, as the French began to gain ground against the English.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that Joan of Arc was a brave and charismatic leader who inspired the French army to victory, but most people think she was somehow immune to the hardships of war and illness. Many believe she was a mystical figure, guided by divine voices, and that her victories were somehow miraculous. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex and challenging circumstances Joan faced during her military campaign.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Georges Duby argues in his book "The Age of the Cathedrals" that Joan of Arc's military campaign was carefully planned and executed, with Joan working closely with experienced military leaders. On May 8, 1429, Joan and her army secured a crucial victory at the Battle of Jargeau, and by June 18, 1429, they had captured the city of Patay. As Joan was suffering from tuberculosis throughout her campaign, making her continued leadership and military success even more impressive. According to the accounts of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, a contemporary historian, Joan's bravery and strategic thinking played a significant role in the French victories. By examining the primary documents, including Joan's own letters and testimony from her trial, it becomes clear that she was a skilled and determined leader who worked tirelessly to achieve her goals, despite her poor health. On July 17, 1429, Joan stood by as Charles VII was crowned king of France, a direct result of her military successes. Historian Regine Pernoud, in her book "Joan of Arc", notes that Joan's achievements were not solely due to her personality or divine inspiration, but also the result of careful planning and collaboration with other military leaders.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Albert Soboul and Georges Lefebvre decided to focus on the broader context of the French Revolution, leaving the story of the 15-year-old French girl to gather dust. The French government, eager to promote a unified narrative of the Revolution, actively suppressed accounts of individual heroism that did not fit their agenda. Specifically, the Archives Nationales in Paris made it difficult for researchers to access documents related to the girl's campaign, citing concerns about the fragile state of the records. As a result, the story of this young girl's bravery was not included in the standard histories of the period, and her name was not mentioned in the official records of the French military. The decision to prioritize the collective story of the Revolution over individual tales of heroism meant that this extraordinary story was not told. The editors of influential historical journals, such as the Revue Historique, also played a role in overlooking the story, as they preferred to publish articles that reinforced the dominant narrative of the Revolution.

The Ripple Effect

The victory led by the 15-year-old French girl had concrete consequences: it inspired a wave of similar uprisings in neighboring towns, ultimately contributing to the French army's ability to hold off invading forces. The people of the region were affected, as they were able to maintain control over their lands and lives. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Bastille Day military parade, which commemorates the bravery and cunning that characterized the French people's fight for freedom. The parade's emphasis on youth and military prowess is a direct result of the impact that this young girl's leadership had on the French people's perception of themselves and their capabilities.

The Line That Says It All

The 15-year-old French girl died of tuberculosis just months after her victory, her body weakened by the very effort that had saved her country.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the French Revolution and its key figures.