Joan of Arc
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Important Terms, People, and Events
Terms
Abjuration -
· An oath by which one renounces a previous belief or
oath
Domremy -
· The French village where Joan of Arc was born
Reims -
· A city in northeastern France. This was the traditional
place where French kings were crowned. Joan of Arc was obsessed with
the need for Charles, the Dauphin, to have a formal coronation
in Reims, which was controlled by Anglo-Burgundian forces at the
time.
Rouen -
· French city northwest of Paris, where Joan of Arc was
burned at the stake
People
Burgundy -
Philip the Good, also known
as the Duke of Burgundy, or "Burgundy" for short, competed with
the Valois king Charles during the Hundred Years' War for control
over certain French territories. Those who supported Philip against
the claims of the pro-Charles party (the Armagnac party) were called "Burgundians."
Pierre Cauchon -
The
bishop of Beauvais, Pierre Cauchon presided over Joan of Arc's trial
for heresy and witchcraft, resulting in her burning at the stake.
Charles VII -
French King from 1422 to 1461, during much of second
phase of the Hundred Years' War. Because at the time of his father's
death the traditional site of coronations, Reims, was under English
control, he assumed control without being ceremonially crowned.
Thus Joan of Arc called him the "Dauphin," the name for the crown
p rince of France, until 1429, when the coronation finally could
take place at Reims. Charles was the Valois claimant to the kingship
of the War's disputed lands, and those who supported him were called
"Armagnacs."
Gilles de Rais -
A
wealthy nobleman who fought at Joan of Arc's side at the Siege of
Orleans. Years later, Gilles de Rais managed to squander his massive
fortune and was hanged after a trial for Satanism, abduction, and murdering
children.
John of Luxembourg -
One of the Duke of Burgundy's star commanders, John
of Luxembourg captured Joan at the Battle of Compiegne.
La Hire -
French
military commander along with Joan of Arc and Gilles de Rais at
the Siege of Orleans.
Saint Catherine -
Saint Catherine of Alexandria was a martyred saint who
was the patron of philosophers and scholars. Joan of Arc claimed
that one of the "voices" she heard was Saint Catherine's.
Events
Battle of Compiegne -
Battle in which Joan of Arc was captured by John of Luxembourg,
in May of 1430.
Hundred Years' War -
Period of sporadic fighting between England and France
between 1337 and 1453 (actually more than 100 years), over who
should rule certain French territories. During Joan of Arc's
time the two candidates were the Valois king Charles, supported
by the French Armagnacs, and the Duke of Burgundy, who was allied
with England. The Siege of Orleans in 1429 was an important turning
point in this battle.
Siege of Orleans -
Crucial battle in the Hundred Years' War, from October
12, 1428 to May 8, 1429. The French pro-Charles forces (the Armagnacs)
managed to break the stalemate after Joan of Arc's arrival lifted
their spirits.
Battle of Patay -
A June 1429 battle in which the French Armagnac forces thoroughly
routed the Anglo-Burgundian forces, helping to open the way to
Reims for the Dauphin's coronation.
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