Join Andy on a thrilling journey back to 1429, where the siege of Orleans marks a pivotal moment in the Hundred Years' War. The French, led by a determined teenage girl named Joan of Arc, face off against the English forces under Thomas de Montague. Despite being battered and hungry, the French defenders refuse to surrender, igniting a spirit of resistance that turns the tide of battle. With humor and historical insights, Andy explores the absurdities of medieval warfare, including the use of early gunpowder weaponry. This episode not only dives into the dramatic underdog story of Joan of Arc but also provides a playful look at the chaotic and often ridiculous nature of 15th-century combat.
The 1429 Siege of Orléans
Lets zap the pod back to 1492 for a look at the early days of field artillery and the very first handguns! We join what's left of Tom Montague and Joan of Arc in an epic if not a little anticlimactic, yet still high-stakes gunfight that turned the tides in favor of the French near the end of the Hundred Year's War.
We'll see some huge bombards and a few smaller cannons... I'll show you how to make your very own HAND CANNON, and I'll even show you how to make your own personalized small-batch brand of gunpowder. The Gunfightpod podcast NEVER glorfies guns or gunfights or ANY type of
voiolence; however we do observe it closely and rate it on a scale of one to
ten. Owing to the low quality and
quantity of guns in this episode, it only gets a six.
Weaponry to look out for include: Trebuchets, Battering Rams, Bombards, Cannons, Hand Cannons, burning livestock, and Joan’s Holy Sword of Saint Catherine de Fierbois.
And… I lied about glorifying guns. We do that all the time, and when we run out of guns to glorify, we glorify swords, knives, and battleaxes.
Navigating the tumultuous waters of the Hundred Years' War, this episode takes listeners back to 1429, focusing on the pivotal Siege of Orleans. The narrative, guided by the ever charismatic Andy, paints a vivid picture of medieval France, rife with tension and absurdity. We encounter the English forces, led by the ambitious Thomas de Montague, preparing to starve out the beleaguered French defenders. However, amid the chaos, an unexpected hero emerges: the young and fervent Joan of Arc. Through a blend of humor and historical insight, Andy explores Joan's remarkable yet unconventional journey from a peasant girl to a military leader, driven by divine visions. As the siege unfolds, we are treated to a colorful commentary on the farcical nature of warfare, with French soldiers hurling insults and improvised projectiles over the city walls, showcasing the psychological warfare that characterized this historical conflict. The episode ultimately highlights themes of resilience and the power of belief in the face of overwhelming odds, as Joan galvanizes her compatriots to fight back against the English encroachment, turning the tide of history in an unexpected and profound way.
Takeaways:
- The siege of Orleans in 1429 marked a pivotal moment in the Hundred Years War, showcasing the resilience of the French against English forces.
- Joan of Arc emerged as a key figure in the siege, inspiring the French troops despite her youth and inexperience.
- The use of early gunpowder weaponry, such as hand cannons, represented a significant shift in military tactics during this period.
- The English siege strategy relied heavily on psychological warfare, but the French countered with sarcasm and spirited resistance.
- The podcast humorously details the absurdities of medieval warfare, including the crude construction of hand cannons from household items.
- The historical context of the siege illustrates how pivotal moments can redefine national identity and military strategy.
