Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
XXX: The Red Field of Patay explained
On June 18, 1429, the French army under Joan of Arc pursues the English through the plains of La Beauce.
What happens
On June 18, 1429, the French army under Joan of Arc pursues the English through the plains of La Beauce. After a deer startles the English into revealing their position, Joan masterfully commands her forces, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. La Hire's cavalry breaks Fastolfe's corps, causing a panic that leads to a decisive French victory at Patay. Joan prophesies that English power in France will not recover for a thousand years. After the battle, she tenderly comforts a dying English prisoner, showing her compassion.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Divine Mission
Joan attributes the victory to God, saying 'The praise is to God. He has smitten with a heavy hand this day,' and her prophetic trance foretold the blow.
Courage and Resilience
Joan's patient command and decisive charge, along with La Hire's fearless assault, demonstrate extraordinary courage in the face of the English army.
Injustice and Corruption of Power
The French soldiers mortally wound a prisoner too poor to pay ransom, an act of cruelty that Joan personally intervenes to mitigate.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Commands the French army with strategic patience, leads the final charge, prophesies the long-term defeat of English power, and shows mercy to a dying enemy.
- La Hire
Leads the initial cavalry charge against Fastolfe's corps, later praises Joan as the liberator of France.
- Pothon of Saintrailles
Sent ahead with cavalry to reconnoiter the English position.
- Dunois
The Bastard of Orleans, eager to join the battle but restrained by Joan's command to wait.
- Lord Talbot
Commands the English forces, attempts to hold a defensive position but is overwhelmed by panic and rout.
- Sir John Fastolfe
Urges the English battle-corps into a gallop but is broken by La Hire's charge.
- Louis de Conte
Narrator and witness to the battle, describes Joan's actions and the scene of mercy.
Key passages
“Name of God, what would you? We must smite these English, and we will. They shall not escape us. Though they were hung to the clouds we would get them!”
Joan declares with fierce determination that the English cannot escape, even if they were suspended in the sky.
Shows Joan's unwavering resolve and confidence in victory.
“In a thousand years—a thousand years—the English power in France will not rise up from this blow.”
Joan prophesies that the English will never recover their strength in France for a millennium.
Reflects Joan's belief in the lasting significance of the battle.
“Oh, friends, friends, do you know?—do you comprehend? France is on the way to be free!”
Joan joyfully announces to her generals that France is finally moving toward liberation.
Highlights the emotional climax of the victory and Joan's patriotic vision.