Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc · Chapter
Joan Sold to the English explained
Louis de Conte recovers from his wounds and reunites with Noël Rainguesson, who escaped from captivity.
What happens
Louis de Conte recovers from his wounds and reunites with Noël Rainguesson, who escaped from captivity. They learn of the Paladin's heroic death and the theft of Joan's sacred standard. The chapter culminates in the devastating news that Joan has been sold to the English, shattering their hopes of ransom. Grief-stricken, Louis and Noël journey to Rouen in peasant disguise to be near her, finding lodging with sympathetic French families.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of Joan's suffe…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Betrayal and Martyrdom
Joan is sold to the English by her own countrymen, a profound betrayal that leads to her martyrdom.
- Courage and Resilience
Louis and Noël risk their lives to journey to Rouen and be near Joan, showing steadfast loyalty.
- Injustice and Corruption of Power
The King and France fail to ransom Joan, highlighting the corruption and ingratitude of those in power.
Characters to notice
- Louis de Conte
Narrator recovering from wounds; grieves Joan's sale and journeys to Rouen.
- Noël Rainguesson
Escaped prisoner; reports the Paladin's death and the theft of the standard; broken-hearted by Joan's fate.
- The Paladin
Died heroically in battle, holding the sacred standard; praised for his luck and glory.
- Joan of Arc
Sold to the English; held in Rouen; her name is too painful to speak.
- Pierre Cauchon
Described as 'that bastard of Satan'; Bishop of Beauvais who takes custody of Joan.
- Dunois
Mentioned as one of the knights who helped steal back the standard.
Key passages
“My wound gave me a great deal of trouble clear into the first part of October; then the fresher weather renewed my life and strength.”
Louis's wound troubled him until early October, when cooler weather helped him recover.
Louis describes his slow recovery from injury.
“We could not speak Joan’s name. One’s voice would have broken down.”
They were too grief-stricken to utter Joan's name aloud.
The emotional weight of Joan's capture silences them.
“He drained the cup of glory to the last drop, and went jubilant to his peace, blessedly spared all part in the disaster which was to follow.”
The Paladin died in glory, spared from witnessing the tragedy that came after.
Noël reflects on the Paladin's fortunate death.
“Joan of Arc sold to the English! Not for a moment had we ever dreamed of such a thing.”
They were utterly shocked to learn that Joan had been sold to the English.
The news of Joan's sale is a thunderclap of betrayal.
