Essay on Joan of Arc interview

Submitted By anyalaraway
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oan of Arc is a folk heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. She was born to a peasant family in north-east France. Claiming divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII of France. She was captured by the Burgundians, transferred to the English in exchange for money, put on trial by the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais Pierre Cauchon for charges of "insubordination and heterodoxy.” We chat to the 19 year old about her visions from god and her message to recover France from English domination.

We are here today with Joan of Arc. Hello Joan, how are you today?
Joan of Arc: I am fine, thank you. That's good. Well, let's get started. Where were you born, Joan?

Joan: I believe I was born on January 6, 1412 in the little village of Domremy in the Eastern part of France known as Lorraine. It was during the night of the Epiphany of Our Lord when men are most joyfully to recall the acts of Christ that I first saw the light in this mortal life. At my trial in the Spring of 1431 I was asked how old I was and I replied: "As far as I know, about nineteen years old."

So you were not quite sure of your age?

Joan: No, I wasn’t. To my knowledge I was about 19.

Many people are talking about your visions from god. What did they think when you told them about your guidance from the Lord?

Joan: I knew my visions were real. I was thirteen when I first had a voice from God ask for my help and guidance. The first time that I heard this Voice, I was very much frightened. The divine messages finally urged me to seek an audience with Charles de Ponthieu currently an ineffective and relatively weak leader of the French.

Was there any turmoil within France during this time period?

Joan: Yes. I lived during the second phase of the Hundred Years' War, a protracted struggle between the French and English for control of the French crown. The war, which had begun in 1339 and continued intermittently till the 1380s, had caused severe hardship in France.At the time of my childhood, France was seriously divided with a lack of national unity. Under Charles de Ponthieu, the French were without direction and without a real leader. When I came to the court I overwhelmed Charles with my passion and conviction. It is quite remarkable that I was given control over an army and allowed to lead them into battle.

I see. You are known around the world for your brave efforts during the war. What do you think you did that made you so famous?

Joan: All that I was able to accomplish at such a young age is unparalleled in history. I was only 17 when I was put in command of the French army. I was the youngest person to ever command the armies of a nation. In only a couple of months I was able to completely reverse a war that had been going on for almost 100 years. The victories I won at Orleans and Patay are considered among the greatest in all of history. To add to all of this, my prophetic ability was always correct, my personal devotion to God and commitment to purity is a story that can only be described as incredible. The battles of Orleans and Patay are considered among the greatest victories in the history of warfare. The city of Orleans was the last great city that the French held and it had been under siege by the English for almost 7 months. I went there and, in only three days of fighting, reclaimed the strongest fort the English possessed which caused them to lift their siege and retreat.

Thank you, Joan. Next, we will talk to Hauviette, one of Joan's friends when she was young. I have heard that Joan was a very religious woman. How would you describe her morals and beliefs?

Hauviette: She is a Christian who loves God and