Page 72 - All About History - Issue 19-14

n’s clothing

er garments

of choice

vision of Joan of Arc swapping her dresses
ousersandarmouratthefirstopportunity
ommon one, and it was the act of wearing
male clothes that she was finally executed The French people
r. But she did not wear boys’ clothing from
preference, but rather as a necessity – first were angry about
to enable her to ride a horse with more her death
ease and later to protect herself from the
TodayJoanisupholdasanationalheroandmartyr,
many rape attempts she faced. Not only but at the time many of the citizens of France were
did Joan happily wear a dress for the 17 more likely to celebrate her death than mourn it.
years of her life before she embarked on For the English, the death of the mascot of the
French forces was an important boon, and they
her journey, but she also begged to be
openly rejoiced at the news of her execution.
buried in a dress if she died in prison. Those who supported Joan and Charles VII would
have taken the news with sadness, but there was
no mass mourning, and the royal court didn’t
recognise her death. It took years for France to
revoke the trial sentence and embrace Joan as
the figure she is today. After her innocence was
declared, she gradually became a legendary figure
for the four centuries after her death, and was used
as a political symbol by Napoleon in the early-19th
century. To date, there have been over 20 statues
created in her honour, countless paintings, operas,
films and even French Navy ships named after her.

The French victory in the Hundred

Years’ War was thanks to Joan

Although there is no denying Joan’s between individual conflicts of the war
presence helped lift the siege of Orléans, allowed the French army to gather its
leading to the crowning of Charles strength and become a fierce, organised
VII, it would be incorrect to attest the force. The English army were faced
ultimate French victory to her. Not only with severe funding issues and became
was Joan executed 20 years before the distracted with conflict back at home
final battle at Castillon, but several other that led to the War of the Roses, so the
important factors led to the eventual French campaign became unfeasible.
French victory. The period of the war While Joan certainly inspired nationalism
was a transition period for France, as among a dejected army, the intricacies of
the country developed from a medieval the war are far too varied and complex
feudal system to a modern state with to place the victory solely on one brave
The war at a glance a professional army. The long periods woman with a banner.

1346
O Battle of Crécy O Battle of Poitiers O Treaty of Brétigny O Battle of Agincourt O Treaty of Troyes O Siege of Orléans O Battle of Castillon
Edward III’s English The English forces King John II and After English king Henry It is agreed that Henry French and English forces English forces capture
troops decimate the raiding their way through King Edward III’s V claims the French will inherit the throne battle over possession of Bordeaux. In response,
French forces by utilising the French countryside, treaty hands over throne, he leads his of France upon the Orléans, which holds great King Charles VII attacks
new weapons and finally meet resistance much French land forces to northern death of Charles VI. strategic advantage. The tide the English forces and
military tactics. This in King John II of France, to England, under France. Despite being This agreement goes turns when Joan of Arc enters defeats them. The
victory allows the English but the battle sees the duress that outnumbered, the English on to prompt the later the city. Nine days after her battle results in the loss
army to besiege and the English destroy Edward renounces forces defeat and cripple stages of the war, with arrival, the siege collapses and of all English land in
claim the town of Calais the French forces and all claims to the the French army, leading many English kings France claim their first major France except for the
as English territory. capture the French king. French throne. to a new period of war. claiming the throne. victory for many years. Pale of Calais.
26 August 1346 19 September 1356 25 May 1360 25 October 1415 21 May 1420 12 Oct 1428 – 8 May 1429 17 July 1453

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