A Tribute to Jeanne D'arc

In the midst of the Hundred Years' War between France and England, France is devastated by the wars it waged against England for the French Crown. The Treaty of Troyes crippled the Dauphin's dreams as it sees Charles V of England and his heir as the rightful King to the throne of France. The dauphin Charles holds no claim over the French Kingdom and has not been crowned the King even after 5 years of the death of his father. The French army has suffered defeat after defeat. When all hope seemed lost, only a divine intervention could have changed the course of Fate. And this divine intervention came in the form of a young 16 year old girl who visited the Dauphin, insisting him to lend her an army so that she could liberate Orléans and escort him to Reims where he would be crowned as the legitimate King.

She was no ordinary girl claiming to do the unthinkable. Born in the small town of Domrémy, she was the daughter of ordinary peasants who worked hard to make enough money for a decent life. She was diligent and obedient and helped her parents in the household works. She was noted for being very pious. Her mother stated that she used to pray and fast for those who suffered. When she was 13, she started hearing voices of Angels and Saints, precisely that of Saint Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret who told her that she would be leading the French to a victory in the Siege of Orleans and that she would also have Charles be crowned the King at Reims. She couldn't understand the visions and the prophecies. At the age of 16, she realised that she has to take the lead for securing the future of France and making Charles the King. She was able to convince Charles about her divine mission. Donning a white armour and equipped with a banner that read "Jesus Mary", Jeanne went to liberate Orléans, which was under the English rule with the small army she was sanctioned. Some striking features about Jeanne D'Arc's campaign includes her firm belief in non-violence. She never used to draw her sword to kill during battles. She drew no blood throughout her life on the battleground. She lead her men and formulated battle strategies and used her Banner to galvanise her troops. After the end of the battles she used to pray for all the soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict, including those of the opposing army. She restricted her soldiers from using offensive words and slurs. All the men in her army stated that they could only see her as a pure soul and never once did they have any sexual urges towards her.

She liberated Orleans within a week. In July of 1429, the Dauphin Charles was crowned King of France in the cathedral in Reims.She pleaded the now King Charles VII to help her win back Paris. But Charles lost all his interest in her advice once he became the King. He was occupied with the worldly pleasures that the crown brought him.

Jeanne kept fighting until she was captured in a battle against the Burgundians. She was then handed over to the British. Knowing how big a threat she posed to them and how pivotal her role was in the war, she was charged of being a witch and a heretic who could hear the voice of the Devil. All throughout her trials she maintained that it was God who sent her on this mission. The British forced her to confess that she was directed by the Devil. This would scrap the legitimacy of Charles' claim to the throne but she did not flinch. Charles VII abandoned her to her fate and extended no help. She was finally burnt at the stake in market square in Rouen on May 30th, 1431 at the of 19. Witnesses of the scene state that Jeanne was chanting the name of Jesus and didn't scream even once while she was burned alive.

Jeanne D'Arc is considered to be a national heroine in France. She is also the symbol of women power. Just like Jhansi ki Rani fought for her homeland, Jeanne D'Arc fought for the freedom of her people and her homeland. In 1920, almost five centuries later, Pope Benedict XV read the bill of canonisation declaring her a saint.

Priti Bhowmick, a 16 year old talented artist, drew a mesmerising sketch of the Saint for La Plume Française which precisely captures Jeanne's efforts to liberate France. The piousness is reflected brilliantly in her face and her unflinching desire to march towards her goal can be witnessed in the spirit of her soldiers. Priti has explored different areas of the artistic domain. Her works can be found on her Instagram page.

Priti Art Circle - Click to visit!

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