Henry VI, Part I · Chapter
Scene IV explained
York and Warwick condemn Joan of Arc to be burned.
What happens
York and Warwick condemn Joan of Arc to be burned. A shepherd claims to be her father, but she denies him, insisting on her noble and holy origin. She then claims to be pregnant, first naming the Dauphin, then Alençon, then Reignier, but her lies are dismissed. After she is led away, Cardinal Beaufort arrives with a commission for peace negotiations. Charles, Alençon, Bastard, and Reignier enter, and after tense discussion, a truce is agreed upon, with Charles swearing allegiance to the English crown.
Themes in this chapter
Supernatural and Religious Conflict
Joan's trial and condemnation revolve around accusations of sorcery and her claims of divine inspiration, highlighting the clash between religious faith and political power.
Gender and Female Agency
Joan's attempts to save herself by claiming pregnancy—and the English lords' dismissal of her as a 'strumpet'—underscore the limited agency and harsh judgment faced by women.
National Identity and Patriotism
The peace negotiations reveal deep English resentment over losses in France and a fierce desire to maintain national honor and territorial claims.
Characters to notice
- Richard Plantagenet (York)
Presides over Joan's condemnation and leads the English side in peace negotiations.
- Earl of Warwick
Assists York in condemning Joan and participates in the peace talks.
- Joan of Arc
Condemned to burn, denies her father, claims noble birth and virginity, then falsely claims pregnancy to avoid execution.
- Charles the Dauphin
Arrives to negotiate peace and eventually swears allegiance to England.
- Duke of Alençon
Accompanies Charles and argues against the terms of the truce.
- Reignier
Present at the peace negotiations, advises Charles to accept the terms.
- Cardinal of Winchester
Brings the king's commission for peace and announces the terms to the French.
- Bastard of Orleans
Present among the French delegation during the truce negotiations.
Key passages
“I am descended of a gentler blood: Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.”
Joan denies the shepherd who claims to be her father, asserting her noble lineage.
Joan's rejection of her earthly father reinforces her claim to divine or royal origin.
“I am with child, ye bloody homicides: Murder not then the fruit within my womb.”
Joan falsely claims to be pregnant in a desperate attempt to delay her execution.
This lie reveals Joan's cunning but ultimately fails to sway her captors.
“Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? Have we not lost most part of all the towns, By treason, falsehood and by treachery, Our great progenitors had conquered?”
York bitterly protests the proposed peace, lamenting the loss of French territories won by their ancestors.
York's speech captures the English sense of betrayal and frustration over the war's outcome.