634. Joan of Arc: Heroine in Chains (Part 3) - The Rest is History Recap

Podcast: The Rest is History

Published: 2026-01-12

Duration: 1 hr 3 min

Guests: Dominic Sandbrook, Tom Holland

Summary

Joan of Arc's strategic genius and inspirational leadership helped Charles VII secure the French crown at Reims. Her eventual capture and trial for heresy marked a dramatic downfall orchestrated by her English adversaries.

What Happened

Joan of Arc emerged as a pivotal figure in the Hundred Years' War, renowned for her role in lifting the siege of Orléans after it had been under English control for six months. This victory, aided by key figures like Jean, the bastard of Orléans, and La Hire, significantly boosted French morale and was perceived as a divine endorsement of Charles VII's claim to the throne.

Beyond Orléans, Joan's strategic brilliance continued to shine through victories at Jargot and Patay, where 2,000 English soldiers were killed. Her influence was instrumental in persuading towns like Troyes to surrender to Charles VII's forces, demonstrating her ability to sway opinions and change the course of the war.

On July 17, 1429, Charles VII was crowned in Reims, a symbolic victory for the French cause, with Joan by his side. Her family was ennobled, and Joan personally reached out to the Duke of Burgundy, urging him to support the French, though he ultimately renewed his alliance with England.

Despite these triumphs, Joan's fortune waned after a failed attack on Paris on September 8, 1430. The assault, coinciding with the Virgin Mary's birthday, was seen as ill-timed and disrespectful, resulting in significant losses for her forces.

Joan's capture on May 23, 1430, during an attempt to relieve Compiègne, marked the beginning of her downfall. Charles VII's reluctance to ransom her suggested he saw her as a liability. Her capture was used as a propaganda tool by the Duke of Bedford to discredit Charles VII's reign.

Pierre Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, played a crucial role in putting Joan on trial for heresy and sorcery, driven by genuine belief and political motives. Despite an attempted escape, Joan was delivered to Rouen, a Lancastrian stronghold, setting the stage for her eventual execution.

Key Insights

• The victory at the siege of Orléans, with the aid of Jean, the bastard of Orléans, and La Hire, marked a turning point in the Hundred Years' War, boosting French morale and supporting Charles VII's claim to the throne.
• Joan of Arc's influence extended beyond military victories; her presence and persuasion led towns like Troyes to surrender to Charles VII, altering the course of the conflict.
• Charles VII's coronation in Reims on July 17, 1429, was a symbolic triumph for the French cause, with Joan of Arc by his side, leading to her family's ennoblement.
• Joan's capture on May 23, 1430, during an attempt to relieve Compiègne, was exploited as a propaganda tool by the Duke of Bedford to undermine Charles VII's reign, while Pierre Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, orchestrated her trial for heresy and sorcery.