Valin Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 This Day In History During the Hundred Years' War, the 17-year-old French peasant Joan of Arc leads a French force in relieving the city of Orleans, besieged by the English since October. At the age of 16, "voices" of Christian saints told Joan to aid Charles, the French dauphin, in gaining the French throne and expelling the English from France. Convinced of the validity of her divine mission, Charles furnished Joan with a small force of troops. She led her troops to Orleans, and on April 29, as a French sortie distracted the English troops on the west side of the city, Joan entered unopposed by its eastern gate. Bringing needed supplies and troops into the besieged city, she also inspired the French to a passionate resistance and through the next week led the charge during a number of skirmishes and battles. On one occasion, she was even hit by an arrow, but after dressing her wounds she returned to the battle. On May 8, the siege of Orleans was broken, and the English retreated. During the next five weeks, Joan led French forces into a number of stunning victories over the English, and Reims, the traditional city of coronation, was captured in July. Later that month, Charles VII was crowned king of France, with Joan of Arc kneeling at his feet. (Snip) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
righteousmomma Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Its amazing to see how Joan is revered all over France. We visited several places where she had been - including Chinon, Reims, and Orleans and Rouen where she was most horribly burned to death. . Tributes are everywhere but my favorite is the golden statue on rue de Rivoli across from the Louvre. (re my avatar photo taken by NCT as we watched Lance Armstrong circle in the Tour de France ). Did you know she had her first vision at age 12? So beautiful she cried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 Its amazing to see how Joan is revered all over France. We visited several places where she had been - including Chinon, Reims, and Orleans and Rouen where she was most horribly burned to death. . Tributes are everywhere but my favorite is the golden statue on rue de Rivoli across from the Louvre. (re my avatar photo taken by NCT as we watched Lance Armstrong circle in the Tour de France ). Did you know she had her first vision at age 12? So beautiful she cried. I wonder if the French really know both sides sold her out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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