Trials of the young
Contemplating Joan of Arc's birthday
In the corner of my bookshelf a small statue of Joan of Arc stoically guards the precious books at hand. My daughter Jesse gave her to me, as we share admiration for this young country girl, born on this day in Domremy, who followed her visionary destiny, became a defender of her country, and paid a terrible price.
A teenage girl sets off in search of a horse, armor, a banner and a sword so she may help to free her country from English rule. Against all odds she accomplishes her mission but is captured, betrayed and burned at the stake at nineteen years old. That is the shortest form of mapping out a short but meaningful yet tragic life. Often it has been thought her story is a French folk tale, but her trial and execution has been fully documented. For those interested in the factual evidence of her suffering, there is an excellent link which I have included below.
https://www.jeanne-darc.info/trial-of-condemnation-index/
I keep returning to her story in order to contemplate the impossible decision she had to make, and her remarkable bravery in making it. While chained, she was offered to be spared if she denounced the source of her visions and claim of divine authorization of her actions. At first, trembling with fear, she agreed, but then unable to betray the highest of realms she acceded to her fate. It is hard to imagine such courage.She was burned at the stake in the marketplace in Rouen. Her ashes, sword, banner and all physical proof of her existence was tossed in the Seine so that the people would have no relic of her.
On the wall of the present monument are inscribed the words of Andre Malraux: O Jeanne, sans sépulcre et sans portrait, toi qui savais que le tombeau des héros, est le coeur des vivants. (Oh Jeanne, without sepulcher and without portrait, you who knew that the hero’s tomb lies in the hearts of the living). There is no need of jeweled encrusted reliquaries for this blessed and humble girl. She is remembered by the people for she has left a legacy of courage, steadfastness, and absolute faith.
There are many films imaging her brief life, but I have always felt Carl Dryer’s silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc, centered around her trial, is the most astounding. The performance of Renee Falconetti is peerless. It may seem strange to dwell on Joan’s darkest challenge on her birthday. But then again, that is why she was born, on January 6, 1412, in a small country village, so that we may be reminded of the possibility to maintain the purity of one’s convictions.
"Often it has been thought her story is a French folk tale, but her trial and execution has been fully documented." Jeanne D'Arc may be the single best-documented medieval person of all. Her story is all the more astonishing because it is solid fact, without embellishment, derived mostly from proceedings managed by her enemies. Yet her heroism and holiness, her simplicity and honesty, shine through.
Thank you for this excellent post.
You are like a Sun to me Patti. Propelled by some inner fire of Love, you launch your thoughts and feelings out like hot photons, or warm waves, into space, and I, on my little planet here, like the Little Prince with his baobabs and roses, find my world illuminated, my bones warmed, and my soul embraced.