Joan of Arc Essay -- Biography History Biographies Essays

Joan of arcThe effect of Joan of Arc can be best understood and explained by looking at some of the events surrounding her birth and childhood. She was born in the later half of the Hundred Years War. The war was between France and Eng repose, which began over the land and control of Aquitaine, located in the southern part of France. Both countries had made legitimate claims of the land, but the dispute was unresolved and war was declared. The war was mainly fought in France and by 1429, England had gained a great portion of France. Joan also entered the world at a time that there was a lot of turmoil not unless in her country but also within the church. At this time the Christian theology was not catering enough to the nobility or to the needs of the townspeople. Many were upset and wanted to instill a different type of church. The people became upset with the clergy because they were unaware of or involved in their society. So in order to expel the church leaders and th ose that stood in their way, rumors of heresy and accusations were thrown. The church began to spiral into much upheaval. Commoners were accusing priests and clergy of heresy and thus weakening the church and their message. So when Joan was born into a town that was associated with a large group of witches and heretics, rumors began to spread about her also.Joan of Arc can be seen through the eyes of two very(prenominal) different of thinking. One would be that she was a witch and possessed, and the other would be that she was a true saint. Joan of Arc was born at Domremy in Champagne approximately likely on January 6, 1412. Jacques dArc was Joans father and he was a poor peasant farmer. Joan was the youngest of a family of five, and was rather uneducated. She, however, was skilled in fasten and spinning. Joans family was also very religious and when she was about thirteen and a half she became aware of her manifestations, which came to her in forms of voices. She reco gnized these voices later as St. Michael, St. Catherine. St. Margaret, and others. However, Joan was ever so reluctant to speak of her voices to anyone. She gradually learned that she was chosen by God to unite France and to give aid to Dauphin Charles, who she believed was to be King of France. She waited until she was about sixteen to operation upon her voices because she had been too scared and meek at age fourteen... ...nized and declared a saint. Today she is recognized as the second patron saint of France (McKay 390).It is interesting to me that a girl of just sixteen could have such an enormous impact. Her patriotism to her country and her unbelievable deep faith is something to be admired. I feel Joan of Arc was a true Saint sent by God to save France from England. God used a child to do his testament because of her pure heart. Her victories provide out more to me because of her age and she was a woman. These two elements combined would have made it impossible f or France to listen to her, but by Gods will she was able to accomplish much for her country.Works CitedCunneen, Sally. Joan of Arc. The Christian Century 24 May 2000 611.Knight, Kevin. St. Joan of Arc. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia 8th ed. 1999.McCarthy, Todd. Rev. of The Messenger The composition of Joan of Arc. Variety 1 Nov. 1999 87.McKay, John P. A History of Western Society. New York Houghton Mifflin Co., 1999.Monet, Jacques. Joan of Arc Her Life. Theological Studies Sept. 2000 561.The Divine Joan of Arc. 2000 Visual Presence. Nov. 6, 2000 http//www.godecookery.com/jeanne/jeannet.htm.