On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we travel back to Castle Times and discuss a fan-voted historical icon: Joan of Arc. Nicknamed “The Maid of Orléans” (and eventually considered the patron saint of all of France), she was born Joan d'Arc in a small village in France. This was during the 100 Year’s War, in which England and France battled to control the throne of France. At the time of Joan’s childhood, a treaty was signed that pronounced that the king of England would rule France after France’s “mad king” Charles VI died. However, both kings died within months of each other, and the treaty was thrown out since most people in France supported Charle’s son (originally named Charles VII) as king.

This is where Joan of Arc comes in. From a young age, she claims that she would hear the voice of saints telling her that Charles needed to be king and that it was her job to make sure he would be. Eventually, while only 17 years old, she dressed as a man and traveled to visit the king and tell him so. She got an audience with the king and convinced him that she was sent from god after she told him secret prayers the king had said.

In no time, this crazy French spitfire was leading charges against French towns occupied by England, and she even sent letters threatening the king of England to get pull out of the country and let France alone. The whole time Joan of Arc was working for the French king, she gained more notoriety and followers. In fact, the bulk of the army allegedly only served because they were following a “saint.” Joan would lead battle charges, though with no weapons, and be in the thick of it with all the soldiers. Her boost in morale was crucial to the French victories, but after a year or so, she was knocked from a horse and captured by the British.

They put Joan of Arc on trial, though it didn’t go well for the prosecutors. Why was it so hard to get charges to stick to Joan? What did she allegedly do to keep from being raped by her jailers? How was she tricked to wear men’s clothes again, and how did this get her trouble? What miracles did she perform to get her sainted by the Catholic church? Listen, laugh, learn.