Jehanne DArcs Transformation Through God

During a time when superstitions and religion coexisted in spiritual life, it was prophesized that there would be a maid from the surroundings of the Polled Wood that would do wonderful things.1 A young peasant girl named Jehanne DArc would fulfill that prophecy. She would become immortalized as a Western legend: a teenager who overcame seemingly insurmountable barriers to deliver France from the English in the 15th century. Jehannes relationship with God provided her with dogged determination, tenable courage, and unwavering Christian devotion, and the transformation of her character and guidance of the voices ensured her victorious path to reclaiming the Kingdom of France. In the village of Domremy, France, Jehanne spent her formative years in a quaint village and dutifully learned the skills required of medieval village woman. By all means, Jehannes childhood did not prepare her for the physical and mental challenges that she would face in the war. Society norms limited Jehanne from outdoor exertions; rather, she professed, I fear no woman in Rouen at sewing and spinning.2 As an obedient villager and daughter, Jehanne was determined to preserve her virginity despite the popularity and promiscuity of May Day. She greatly feared the Burgundians and the threat of conflict, for Jehanne once took such drastic measures as to flee her hometown and stay at the house of an unfamiliar woman for two weeks. All in all, Jehanne appeared to be ordinary village maid who naturally feared the ravages of the war that England waged against France for nearly a century. Before the intervention of the holy voices, Jehanne was indeed a poor girl who knew nothing of riding and warfare.3 With regards to Jehannes religious upbringing, she learned the teachings of the faith solely from her mother. Early on Jehanne learned the three phrases that would guide the rest of her journey: Our Father, Hail Mary, and I believe.4 Since Hail Mary is a traditional Christian prayer, the phrases resemble a prayer when rearranged: "Hail Mary, I believe Our Father. Together, the three phrases signified Jehannes subsequent loyalty and belief in God. However, Jehanne merely learned the basic tenets of Christianity, and like the typical villager, she exhibited a placid attitude towards religious worship, attending confession once a year. Evidently, Christianity and God existed in the backdrop of Jehanne's life in Domremy. Jehanne was first and foremost a village woman, then second, a Catholic Christian. She was also remarkably doubtful of the supernatural culture and customs that pervaded 15th century medieval society. Concerning the myth of a healing fountain, Jehanne admitted, I do not know whether it makes them well or

Willard Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words (New York: Turtle Point Press, 1996), p. 5. 2 Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 3. 3 Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 7. 4 Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 3.

not.5 She did not have any faith in the prophecy of the Polled Wood even though it stood not half a league away from her house.6 As a natural skeptic, she required irrevocable evidence in order to be persuaded of anything associated with magic or miracles. The arrival of voices from God initiates the transformation of Jehanne into a mature, capable leader. During her pubescent years, the strengthening of her faith in God sowed the seeds of bravery and self-confidence in Jehanne. At the age of 13, she was terrified at the sound of the voice emerging from her right hand, but after repeated visions of the voice, she experiences an inner confirmation that it was St. Michael because she claims, he taught me and showed me such things that I knew that it was he.7 Jehanne worships the ground the angels stand upon and reveres the heavenly voices. St. Michael instructs her in the manner of a teacher to a student, telling her to attend church often as well as other facets of right behavior. She immediately ceases frivolities and focuses with a single-minded intensity on the instructions given by St. Michael. Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret call her Jehanne the Maid, child of God, which describes the foundation of the early relationship between Jehanne and God.8 Still a child, she admires and obeys Gods words as if he were a respected and feared parent. Nevertheless, she expressed doubt of her abilities to succor the King of France and resisted departing to France for several years. After four to five years of dormant waiting in Domremy, Jehanne departs to France in 1429 with complete conviction that God has ordained her. Her departure marks Jehannes decision to accept the prophecy, embrace God, and remove all self-doubt. On route to France, she stated to Henri Le Royer, I was born for this, and she is certain that God entrusted the task of restoring the Kingdom of France to her, Jehanne DArc of Domremy.9 Jehanne even remarks, I fear nothing but treachery, because she trusted God to lead the way for her.10 The fearlessness that she exhibited starkly contrasts with the intense fear she possessed in her girlhood of enemy confrontation. Over the period of four to five years, while the voices constantly accompanied and advised Jehanne, she gained the will and self-discipline needed to lead the Dauphin to his anointing. That is not to say that Jehannes journey to France was effortless; in fact, Jehanne encountered rejection and doubt from every person she revealed her purpose to: Robert de Baudricourt, King Charles VII, military captains, townspeople, and even the leagues of soldiers she commanded. However, the voices encouraged her to endure the widespread doubt, thus freeing her to pursue her own military tactics and agenda defined by God's will. The voices shaped the image of Jehanne as a hero contrary to typical 15th century military behavior. She carried a white banner with the two words, Jhesus Maria,
5 6

Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 4. Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 5. 7 Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 6. 8 Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 7. 9 Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 19. 10 Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 53.

sewn on it, which illustrated her empowering love for God. Whereas before Jehanne displayed acquiescence and admiration in a somewhat submissive relationship with God, she now loved God without inhibition and demonstrated it through her emphasis on Christian values on and off the battlefield. As a leader, she displayed mercy and compassion towards townspeople even when she advocated for aggressive stratagems. She retained her sense of justice and integrity amongst the bloodshed that she both instigated and witnessed. Jehanne increasingly gained authority as she conquered one town after another until the capture of the Orleans stronghold in April-May 1429, but despite her unprecedented success on the battlefield, she continued to strengthen her devotion to the God by constantly reminding herself and her soldiers that religious faith, not nationalism or brutality, guaranteed victory. She expanded her role as Gods soldier and embodied Christian values, admitting, I would rather die than do what I know to be sin.11 The purity and singularity of Jehannes relationship with God set her on equal grounds with the elders she interacted with, particularly the King. She acted within the knowledge that everything she did was on behalf of the King of Heaven. In part due to the fact that she behaved in a mindset absent of any societal barriers of that time, Jehanne was able to persuade people, especially those of higher standing that she was sent from God. To Jehanne, the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of France were intertwined, as was King Charles VII fate and hers. The voices from God transformed Jehanne DArc from an ordinary peasant girl to the savior of France, and as her relationship with God evolved into one of strength, conviction, and truth, Jehannes standing and abilities as leader rose. Jehanne once obediently accepted Gods messages without question, but over the course of her journey, Jehanne turned into Gods messenger and conveyed teachings and sentiments from the Heavenly Kingdom to the people she liberated. The voices were Jehanne's teacher and advisors throughout her short lifespan, and once Jehanne conquered her fears and began to fight the English, she fulfilled that role for the people of France.

11

Trask, Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words, p. 37.