Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
How Joan Took Jargeau explained
Joan leads the French army in the assault on Jargeau, demonstrating her strategic brilliance and personal courage.
What happens
Joan leads the French army in the assault on Jargeau, demonstrating her strategic brilliance and personal courage. After a fierce artillery duel and scaling the walls under heavy fire, she is wounded but rallies her troops to victory. The English garrison surrenders, with the Earl of Suffolk yielding only to Joan. The chapter highlights Joan's merciful nature, her motto of hard work, and the triumph that further cements her reputation.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Resilience
Joan's personal bravery in leading assaults, being wounded, and continuing to fight inspires her troops.
Faith and Divine Mission
Joan's confidence in victory and her cry 'Work! and God will work with us!' reflect her belief in divine support.
Injustice and Corruption of Power
Contrast between Joan's merciful treatment of prisoners and the typical brutal customs of war highlights the corruption of power.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Leads the assault on Jargeau, is wounded by a stone but rallies her troops, and accepts the surrender of the Earl of Suffolk.
- Louis de Conte
Narrates the events, describing the battle and Joan's actions.
- The Paladin
Struck down at Joan's side during the initial assault but later carries the standard in the final assault.
- Dunois
Present at the surrender of the Earl of Suffolk, demanding his surrender alongside the Duke d'Alençon.
- Charles VII
Not directly present, but his coronation is implied as a future goal; Joan's victory strengthens his cause.
- Sir John Fastolfe
Mentioned as leading a relief force of five thousand men that is loitering and not yet arrived.
- La Hire
Not explicitly mentioned in this chapter, but his presence in the army is implied.
- Noël Rainguesson
Not explicitly mentioned, but likely part of the army as a companion.
Key passages
“Work! work! and God will work with us!”
Keep laboring diligently, and divine assistance will follow.
Joan's motto emphasizing the importance of hard work combined with faith.
“I will die rather. I will surrender to the Maid of Orleans alone, and to no other.”
I would prefer death over yielding to anyone except Joan of Arc.
The Earl of Suffolk's proud refusal to surrender to subordinates, highlighting Joan's unique status.