# Charles VII — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc character guide > Charles VII in Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** King Charles, the Tawdry King, Dauphin **First appearance:** 0021-vi-joan-convinces-the-king ## Snapshot The hesitant Dauphin of France, indolent and doubting, who must be persuaded that a peasant girl carries the will of Heaven. ## Who they are Charles receives Joan with amusement that curdles into astonishment as she speaks of Rheims and coronation. He wants a sign, something unassailable, before he will trust her Voices or her sword. His wavering is the great drag on the story's early arc: France cannot be saved until its own king decides to believe. ## Relationships ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _professional_ Charles VII was the king who Joan served as a military commander and advisor, relying on her leadership to reclaim his throne. ### [The Paladin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/the_paladin) _professional_ Charles VII and The Paladin had a distant professional relationship, as The Paladin was a soldier in the king's service. ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _professional_ Charles VII was the king who Joan served as a military commander and advisor, relying on her leadership to reclaim his throne. ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _professional_ Charles VII was the king who Joan served as a military commander and advisor, relying on her leadership to reclaim his throne. ### [The Paladin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/the_paladin) _professional_ Charles VII and The Paladin had a distant professional relationship, as The Paladin was a soldier in the king's service. ## In the story ### [Translator's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/translator-s-preface) Portrayed as cowed, resigned, and preparing to flee; he stood supine and indifferent while Joan was burned; he was rescued from vagabondage and crowned by Joan. ### [Book II: In Court and Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/book-ii-in-court-and-camp) The Dauphin who meets Joan and is persuaded by her divine mission. ### [VI: Joan Convinces the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/vi-joan-convinces-the-king) Convinced by Joan's revelation of his secret doubt; leads her out of the hall with honor. ### [Our Paladin in His Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/vii-our-paladin-in-his-glory) Mentioned in the Paladin's tale as the king who supposedly gave him a signet ring and praised his future, though this is a fabrication. ### [VIII: Joan Persuades Her Inquisitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/viii-joan-persuades-her-inquisitors) His doubts are cleared by Joan's revelation, but he is swayed by Tremouille and the Archbishop; appoints a commission to investigate Joan; enjoys her honest conversation. ### [She Is Made General-in-Chief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/ix-she-is-made-general-in-chief) King of France who confers the title of General-in-Chief upon Joan. ### [Checked by the Folly of the Wise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xiii-checked-by-the-folly-of-the-wise) King who ordered the generals to obey Joan, though they often disregarded his commands. ### [What the English Answered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xiv-what-the-english-answered) Mentioned as the rightful king whom God wills to hold France. ### [XXIII: Joan Inspires the Tawdry King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxiii-joan-inspires-the-tawdry-king) The 'Tawdry King' dressed in extravagant fashion; initially gracious, he ennobles Joan and her family but hesitates on the coronation march due to courtly influence. ### [At Last—Forward!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxv-at-last-forward) The King idles at Loches, consults with councilors, and is persuaded by Joan to allow the march to Rheims after she proposes breaking the Loire strongholds. ### [XXVI: The Last Doubts Scattered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxvi-the-last-doubts-scattered) Issues the command that the generals must do nothing without the Maid's sanction. ### [How Joan Took Jargeau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxvii-how-joan-took-jargeau) Not directly present, but his coronation is implied as a future goal; Joan's victory strengthens his cause. ### [Joan's Five Great Deeds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxiii-joan-s-five-great-deeds) Referred to as a serf under La Tremouille's control; later becomes a brave and capable soldier under Richemont's influence; referred to as Dauphin before coronation. ### [The Jests of the Burgundians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-jests-of-the-burgundians) Hesitates to march to Rheims but eventually follows Joan's advice and ransoms the prisoners at her request. ### [XXXV: The Heir of France Is Crowned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxv-the-heir-of-france-is-crowned) Crowned at Rheims; grants Domremy a permanent tax exemption; lodges at the Archbishop's Palace. ### [Joan Hears News from Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxvi-joan-hears-news-from-home) The King, honors Joan's father and uncle publicly, giving them his hand to kiss and ordering the Bailly to host them. ### [Again to Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxvii-again-to-arms) Sends a messenger requesting Joan to remain as commander and attend a war council. ### [The King Cries “Forward!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-king-cries-forward) Initially passive, he is stirred by Joan's bold speech and ultimately surrenders his sword to her, endorsing the march on Paris. ### [We Win, but the King Balks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxix-we-win-but-the-king-balks) The King, who balks at advancing on Paris, delays at St. Marcoul, and is influenced by Tremouille's counsel. ### [XL: Treachery Conquers Joan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xl-treachery-conquers-joan) Weak and easily manipulated by La Tremouille, he forbids the assault on Paris, breaks the bridge, and makes a truce, effectively betraying Joan. ### [XLI: The Maid Will March No More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xli-the-maid-will-march-no-more) The King who halted Joan's advance on Paris and kept her at court; shows kindness but fails to support her military ambitions. ### [The Maid in Chains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/i-the-maid-in-chains) The King of France who made no offer or effort to ransom Joan despite her service. ### [Joan Tells of Her Visions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/viii-joan-tells-of-her-visions) The King is mentioned in Joan's testimony regarding the signs and clergy's counsel that led him to believe in her revelations. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/charles_vii - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters