The Maid – Triumph and then disaster!
Charles VII is crowned at Reims.
‘Oh for the French, 1429, what a glorious summer!
As for the English, well, they never felt dumber!
Orleans! Oh Orleans! What a victory, the French did gush!
And well they might, for there, they gave the English army, the bum’s rush!’
Target Paris!
Despite the celebrations surrounding the coronation, there was little time for relaxation. Joan was incensed that the capital of her beloved country was held by the hated Burgundians, who were allies of the English. Yes, Duke Philip of Burgundy and his confederates controlled Paris.
‘You filthy, hyper- active English-loving Burgundian dogs!
Very soon you will be as lifeless as cut down wooden logs!’
Joan resolved to take the city from these odious traitors.
Philip, Duke of Burgundy.
In August, 1429, Joan made her way to Paris, capturing a number of towns on the way. She had said that she would take Paris, but the city was defended by huge impenetrable walls that towered high into the sky. Joan boldly strode towards the battlements, her standard held aloft as she did so. The Maid fearlessly called out to the Parisians to immediately surrender their city to Charles VII.
‘Oh, people of Paris, break free from the lethal Burgundian infection!
Give Duke Philip a taste of a rightful, patriotic Parisian insurrection!’
Joan directs her troops at the siege of Paris.
However, her cries were met with a volley of arrows, one of which pierced her thigh. In great pain, but undeterred, Joan continued to shout encouragement to her troops as she was carried to a tent for treatment. Joan certainly had the heart to continue the fight, but not so King Charles VII. Much to Joan’s disgust, he ordered his forces to retreat from Paris on September 9th. A furious Joan could do no other than fume and utter her displeasure under her breath.
‘Oh, what shame to leave our beloved city of Paris in the hands of the Burgundians, the false French!
Every single one of these English-loving wretched Burgundian dogs gives off a foul, traitorous stench!
In October, Charles allowed Joan to take part in the successful siege of Saint-Pierre-le-Moutier. Joan wintered with the king in the Loire region in a state of relative relaxation. However, the early months of 1430 saw the Duke of Burgundy on the prowl once more. His forces had besieged the town of Compiegne.
‘The ignoble Duke of Burgundy was again on the prowl!
The loyal people of Compiegne felt threatened by the sound of his odious growl!’
The spring saw Joan advancing to the aid of the people of Compiegne. Her plan was to repeat her success at Orleans. On May 23rd she engaged the Burgundians, but luck was not with her. In the heat of battle she was thrown from her horse and captured by the Burgundians.
Joan is captured by the Burgundians at Compiegne.
‘Of all their battlefield captures!
This one sent the Burgundians into ecstatic raptures!’
When he heard of Joan’s capture, Duke Philip sped at haste to view his coveted prize. What was now to become of the Maid of Orleans?