Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
Joan's Five Great Deeds explained
This chapter enumerates and analyzes Joan of Arc's five greatest achievements: the Raising of the Siege of Orleans, the Victory of Patay, the Reconciliation at Sully-sur-Loire between the Constable Richemont and King Charles, the Coronation
What happens
This chapter enumerates and analyzes Joan of Arc's five greatest achievements: the Raising of the Siege of Orleans, the Victory of Patay, the Reconciliation at Sully-sur-Loire between the Constable Richemont and King Charles, the Coronation of Charles VII at Rheims, and the Bloodless March from Gien to the gates of Paris. The narrative emphasizes the strategic importance of each deed, particularly the Coronation as a masterstroke of political and popular psychology, and highlights Joan's unique insight as a peasant into the power of the people and the parish priests. It also credits Richemont as the one who ultimately completed Joan's work by clearing the English from France.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Divine Mission
Joan's five deeds are presented as stages in a divinely ordained mission; the Coronation is seen as a sacred act that secures God's approval.
Patriotism and National Identity
The chapter emphasizes the unification of France under a crowned king and the expulsion of the English as a national achievement.
Truth Versus Propaganda
The narrative contrasts the ignorance of the court and Bedford with Joan's true understanding of the people's loyalty and the power of the priesthood.
Characters to notice
- Joan of Arc
Described as having the 'seeing eye' and being the only one who understood the priceless worth of the Coronation; her five great deeds are listed and analyzed.
- Charles VII
Referred to as a serf under La Tremouille's control; later becomes a brave and capable soldier under Richemont's influence; referred to as Dauphin before coronation.
- De la Tremouille
Described as the master of the King, who kept Charles from visiting Orleans.
- Richemont
The Constable of France, reconciled with the King by Joan; praised as the ablest man in France in brains, scientific warfare, and statesmanship; ultimately completes Joan's work.
- Bedford
Representative of the English crown; fails to grasp the importance of the Coronation until too late.
Key passages
“The great deeds of Joan of Arc are five: The Raising of the Siege. The Victory of Patay. The Reconciliation at Sully-sur-Loire. The Coronation of the King. The Bloodless March.”
Joan's five major accomplishments were lifting the siege of Orleans, winning the battle of Patay, reconciling Richemont with the king, crowning Charles at Rheims, and marching bloodlessly through enemy territory.
This lists the five key military and political achievements attributed to Joan.
“It was because she had the 'seeing eye,' as one of our knights had once said. Yes, she had that great gift—almost the highest and rarest that has been granted to man.”
Joan possessed an extraordinary intuitive insight, the ability to perceive the true nature of people and situations, which was her greatest gift.
Explains Joan's ability to recognize Richemont's value at first sight.
“To Joan of Arc, the peasant-girl, Charles VII was no King until he was crowned; to her he was only the Dauphin; that is to say, the heir.”
Joan, reflecting the common people's view, considered Charles only the heir apparent until his coronation made him the true king.
Highlights the popular belief in the necessity of coronation for legitimacy.
