# Joan Sold to the English explained — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

> Chapter companion for Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain.

## What happens

Louis de Conte recovers from his wounds and reunites with Noël Rainguesson, who escaped from captivity. They learn of the Paladin's heroic death and the theft of Joan's sacred standard. The chapter culminates in the devastating news that Joan has been sold to the English, shattering their hopes of ransom. Grief-stricken, Louis and Noël journey to Rouen in peasant disguise to be near her, finding lodging with sympathetic French families.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Martyrdom

Joan is sold to the English by her own countrymen, a profound betrayal that leads to her martyrdom.

### Courage and Resilience

Louis and Noël risk their lives to journey to Rouen and be near Joan, showing steadfast loyalty.

### Injustice and Corruption of Power

The King and France fail to ransom Joan, highlighting the corruption and ingratitude of those in power.

## Character check-ins

### Louis de Conte

Narrator recovering from wounds; grieves Joan's sale and journeys to Rouen.

### Noël Rainguesson

Escaped prisoner; reports the Paladin's death and the theft of the standard; broken-hearted by Joan's fate.

### The Paladin

Died heroically in battle, holding the sacred standard; praised for his luck and glory.

### Joan of Arc

Sold to the English; held in Rouen; her name is too painful to speak.

### Pierre Cauchon

Described as 'that bastard of Satan'; Bishop of Beauvais who takes custody of Joan.

### Dunois

Mentioned as one of the knights who helped steal back the standard.

## Key lines

> My wound gave me a great deal of trouble clear into the first part of October; then the fresher weather renewed my life and strength.

Louis's wound troubled him until early October, when cooler weather helped him recover.

_Louis describes his slow recovery from injury._

> We could not speak Joan’s name. One’s voice would have broken down.

They were too grief-stricken to utter Joan's name aloud.

_The emotional weight of Joan's capture silences them._

> He drained the cup of glory to the last drop, and went jubilant to his peace, blessedly spared all part in the disaster which was to follow.

The Paladin died in glory, spared from witnessing the tragedy that came after.

_Noël reflects on the Paladin's fortunate death._

> Joan of Arc sold to the English! Not for a moment had we ever dreamed of such a thing.

They were utterly shocked to learn that Joan had been sold to the English.

_The news of Joan's sale is a thunderclap of betrayal._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/ii-joan-sold-to-the-english
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters