Who was Joan of Arc?

I. Historical Overview

Joan of Arc (c. 1412–1431) was a young French woman who gained significant historical recognition for her remarkable role in the latter stages of the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. Known in French as Jeanne d’Arc, she rose from a humble background, claiming divine inspiration to lead her nation’s armies to pivotal victories. Although her life spanned only about nineteen years, the impact of her brief leadership and subsequent martyrdom influenced France’s political and religious landscape for centuries.

II. Early Life and Calling

Joan was born to Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Romée in Domrémy, a small village in northeastern France. Her family worked the land, reflecting the agricultural backdrop of early fifteenth-century Europe. From a young age, Joan reportedly exhibited a fervent sense of devotion.

By her own account, she began experiencing visions and hearing “voices” of saints and angelic figures (commonly identified as Saint Catherine, Saint Margaret, and the archangel Michael). She described these experiences as directing her to support the Dauphin (the French heir to the throne), eventually named King Charles VII, and to help drive out English forces. While her reported visions were never mentioned in Scripture—indeed there is no direct biblical reference to Joan of Arc—her sense of calling resonated with a broader Christian context where, throughout history, individuals have felt compelled to serve God and lead others: “But each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10–11). This passage encourages careful discernment in one’s calling and actions, though Joan’s personal experiences were unique to her era.

III. The Hundred Years’ War Context

When Joan emerged as a public figure, France was fragmented due to internal conflicts and English invasions. The Hundred Years’ War, a protracted struggle over the French crown (1337–1453), left vast areas of France under English or Burgundian control. Morale was low among the French nobility and citizens alike.

Joan’s arrival at the Dauphin’s court in Chinon signaled a turning point, as she convinced the doubtful royal entourage of her sincerity and strategic insight. With permission, she proceeded to lead French troops, claiming divine authority and a mission to reclaim lands occupied by England. Though her approach may have seemed unconventional for a young peasant woman of that era, historically verified documents and letters reveal contemporaries noting her fervor, sense of mission, and capacity to inspire.

IV. Joan’s Military Campaigns

Among Joan’s most notable military successes was the liberation of Orléans in 1429. At the time, Orléans was under siege by the English. Her involvement motivated French soldiers, turning what had seemed a probable defeat into a decisive victory. This event is so interconnected with her legacy that she became known as the “Maid of Orléans.”

She continued to accompany troops, encouraging them to hold fast and exhibit courage. Highlighting the biblical principle that ultimately God’s sovereignty extends over the affairs of nations, Scripture reminds: “The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). While Joan’s claim was hearing specific heavenly messages, many followers simply recognized in her the fervent leadership that aligned with national identity and desire for freedom.

V. Trial and Martyrdom

After further campaigns, Joan was eventually captured in 1430 by Burgundian forces allied with the English. She was sold to the English and put on trial by an ecclesiastical court at Rouen. The charges ranged from heretical claims to dressing in men’s clothing (a severe accusation at the time).

Primary records from the Trial of Joan of Arc—which have been preserved in manuscript forms that historians and textual scholars examine in detail—document intense interrogations. Joan, still a teenager, defended her convictions with steadfast composure. Nevertheless, she was found guilty of heresy and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. Decades later, a posthumous retrial declared her innocent of the original accusations, solidifying her reputation as a martyr of faith.

VI. Subsequent Recognition and Legacy

Joan attained enduring reverence in French history and was eventually canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. In broader historical analysis, many see her as a symbol of national unity and sacrificial bravery. Although theological interpretations of her visions have varied, the wider hosting of trial documents and eyewitness testimonies attest to her sincerity. Her example markably underscores how personal conviction, if not tested by clear biblical standards, can still create movements with profound historical consequences. Scripture teaches believers to examine all claims carefully: “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

VII. Archaeological and Documentary Evidence

Hundreds of pages of trial manuscripts, official letters, and legal registers substantiate Joan’s life events. Scholars, including secular historians and textual experts, have studied these documents to understand medieval legal processes and the environment of the Hundred Years’ War. The manuscripts reveal the changing attitudes of theological and political authorities, showing that accurate historical preservation is not limited to modern times. In a similar vein, archaeological findings (such as the remnants of fortifications at Orléans) corroborate accounts of battles she led.

When discussing ancient texts, one may consider parallels to robust manuscript evidence for Scripture, which is multiplied across languages and geographical regions to a degree that dwarfs many other ancient writings. The same reliance on rigorous preservation and eyewitness testimony points historically minded researchers to the reliability of source documentation. As Scripture contains numerous fulfilled prophecies and consistent retellings of events—particularly the crucifixion and resurrection accounts—these lines of evidence encourage confidence in thoroughly examined historical records. “For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). In that same spirit, historians assess Joan’s recorded experiences by comparing witness testimony and preserved transcripts.

VIII. Biblical Reflections and Principles

Though Joan of Arc is not a biblical figure, her story can stimulate reflection on several scriptural truths:

• God’s Sovereignty: Many recognized her success as evidence of God’s providential hand in history, echoing the biblical principle that He can use unexpected individuals to shape events, as seen with David (1 Samuel 16).

• Courage Under Trial: Joan’s unwavering demeanor during her interrogations parallels the exhortation of Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground…”

• Discernment and Accountability: Her claims of hearing heavenly voices remind believers to weigh experiences against God’s written Word. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” (1 John 4:1). This highlights the importance of Scripture as the measuring rod for truth.

IX. Conclusion

Joan of Arc remains a poignant figure in both religious and secular history, illustrating how a young individual’s convictions can overturn the prevailing momentum in a prolonged war. While her life and claims are not part of biblical narrative, the historical documentation of her actions and eventual martyrdom underscores how faith and national identity sometimes intersect to extraordinary effect.

For believers, her account may provide an opportunity to consider God’s overarching sovereignty over human affairs and the need for careful discernment when individuals claim divine revelation. Surviving manuscripts and careful scholarship reveal Joan’s integrity, bravery, and devotion. In examining her life, one also beholds humanity’s enduring search for deliverance—which ultimately is found in the risen Christ, as testified by Scripture: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day…” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).