Joan D' Arc Biography
Joan d’Arc lived during the Hundred Years War, a very turbulent time in Europe’s history. Throughout her life Joan faced many challenges, from rising from an insignificant peasant girl, to end up saving France from the English as she was instructed by three saints who came to her in a vision. When Joan came into control of Charles VII’s troops, Joan won many key battles for the French until she was captured by the English in 1430. Joan d’Arc had a major impact on the world, not only because of her extraordinary military abilities, which were some of the most innovative of her time, but also because of the challenges she faced to rise from a poor peasant girl to a military leader in the Hundred Years War.
Joan d’ Arc had a relatively normal childhood for a peasant in France during the 15th century. Joan d’ Arc was born approximately January 6, 1412. There are no actual birth records for Joan, but this date is based off of her baptismal records (Williams, 10). Joan was the youngest of five children born to Jacques and Isabella d’ Arc. The d’Arc family owned a great deal of land in Domremy, a peasant town in Champagne. Joan’s father was an important man in the town, serving as a leader for the people, yet the d’Arc family lived as the average peasant lived (Thurston). Joan spent many days tending her father’s sheep in the pasture, yet as Jay Williams states, “She did not enjoy being a shepherdess, she reported later. She much preferred helping her mother with the spinning and the household chores.” (13). Like many girls in her time, Joan was illiterate; however, Joan’s mother taught her about God and the ways of the church. Joan was an extremely pious child Williams again comments, “She was more devout than the children she played with and with whom she shared many of her secrets. And she was so eager for confession—although she was hardly old enough to have sins to confess—that the village priest would sometimes pretend to scold her. “(16). Joan was also considered
Joan d’ Arc had a relatively normal childhood for a peasant in France during the 15th century. Joan d’ Arc was born approximately January 6, 1412. There are no actual birth records for Joan, but this date is based off of her baptismal records (Williams, 10). Joan was the youngest of five children born to Jacques and Isabella d’ Arc. The d’Arc family owned a great deal of land in Domremy, a peasant town in Champagne. Joan’s father was an important man in the town, serving as a leader for the people, yet the d’Arc family lived as the average peasant lived (Thurston). Joan spent many days tending her father’s sheep in the pasture, yet as Jay Williams states, “She did not enjoy being a shepherdess, she reported later. She much preferred helping her mother with the spinning and the household chores.” (13). Like many girls in her time, Joan was illiterate; however, Joan’s mother taught her about God and the ways of the church. Joan was an extremely pious child Williams again comments, “She was more devout than the children she played with and with whom she shared many of her secrets. And she was so eager for confession—although she was hardly old enough to have sins to confess—that the village priest would sometimes pretend to scold her. “(16). Joan was also considered
Cited: Thurston, Herbert. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Joan of Arc." NEW ADVENT: Home. Kevin Knight. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08409c.htm>. Williams, Jay. Joan of Arc. New York: American Heritage Pub., 1963. Print. Wilmot-Buxton, E. M. Jeanne D 'Arc,. New York: Frederick A. Stokes, 1914. Print.