Epigraph
Referenced as the singular figure who commanded a nation's army at age seventeen.
Translator's Preface
Described as the most innocent, lovely, and adorable figure of the ages; her character is flawless by any standard; she was truthful, honest, modest, courageous, pure, and entirely unselfish; she refused rewards and wished only to return to her village.
A Peculiarity of Joan of Arc's History
The subject of the unique biography under discussion, whose life details come from sworn trial records.
The Sieur Louis de Conte to His Great-Great-Grand Nephews and Nieces
Recalled as a dear little figure charging into battle, the most noble life ever born save One, and the subject of the narrator's lifelong memory.
Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc
Central figure of the recollections, though not directly appearing in this introductory chapter.
Book I: In Domremy
Young peasant girl in Domremy, deeply religious, begins to hear heavenly voices.
When Wolves Ran Free in Paris
Four years old at the time; daughter of Jacques d'Arc and Isabel Romée; living in Domremy with her family.
The Fairy Tree of Domremy
Defends the fairies' rights with passionate eloquence, showing her deep sense of justice and compassion.
All Aflame with Love of France
Shows compassion by offering her porridge to a hungry stranger, and is deeply moved by the Song of Roland, embracing the singer with idolatrous kisses.
Joan Tames the Mad Man
Shows extraordinary bravery by taming a madman with an axe; known for her modesty and selflessness.
Domremy Pillaged and Burned
Takes command during the panic, shows deep compassion for the village's suffering, and reveals her selfless wish to have the village's taxes lifted if she could ask the King for anything.
Joan and Archangel Michael
Shifts from merriment to grave contemplation; reveals unshakable faith in France's future; receives a vision from Archangel Michael.
VII: She Delivers the Divine Command
Delivers her divine command to the governor, displaying newfound authority and resolve.
Why the Scorners Relented
Endures public scorn and family opposition with serenity; defends herself successfully in ecclesiastical court at Toul; waits for her Voices' command.
Book II: In Court and Camp
Arrives at court, meets the Dauphin, and begins to lead the army.
Joan Says Goodbye
Joan announces her mission to Louis and Laxart, speaks of her Voices, and prepares to leave Domremy.
The Governor Speeds Joan
Stays with Catherine Royer, speaks openly about her divine mission, confronts Baudricourt repeatedly, predicts the Battle of the Herrings, and finally departs for the King.
The Paladin Groans and Boasts
Rides in the center of the column; offers the conscripted men a choice to leave; her prophecy about the Paladin and Noël partially comes true.
Joan Leads Us Through the Enemy
Leads the company through enemy territory, forbids profanity, drills novices, endures hardships without fatigue, confronts conspirators, and deceives an enemy officer to secure safe passage.
We Pierce the Last Ambuscades
Dictates a letter to the King; refuses to deliver her message to the bishops, insisting on speaking to the Dauphin alone; leads the group through the last ambuscade.
VI: Joan Convinces the King
Reveals the King's secret prayer to prove her divine mission; identifies the disguised Dauphin at court.
Our Paladin in His Glory
Referenced in the Paladin's story as the Maid who identifies the true king and commands the Paladin to remove the impostor from the throne.
VIII: Joan Persuades Her Inquisitors
Reveals the King's secret to clear his doubts; answers bishops selectively; charms the Duke of Alençon; defends her mission at Poitiers with wit and faith; wins over the commission.
She Is Made General-in-Chief
Appointed General-in-Chief of the Armies of France; her rise from obscurity to supreme command is highlighted.
The Maid's Sword and Banner
Dictates a letter to the English, obtains the sword of Fierbois, designs her standard, and appoints her household, including the Paladin as her banner-bearer.
The War March Is Begun
Leads the march; praised for her 'seeing eye' and ability to inspire courage.
Joan Puts Heart in Her Army
Works tirelessly to reform the camp, impose discipline, and convert La Hire; her presence inspires devotion and transforms the army.
Checked by the Folly of the Wise
Leads the army toward Orleans, confronts Dunois about the deception, and demonstrates her practical wisdom and divine confidence.
What the English Answered
Dictates a fierce proclamation to the English, sends heralds, and proposes a challenge to Lord Talbot.
My Exquisite Poem Goes to Smash
Mentioned for her extraordinary eyes and persuasive power; not directly present in the chapter's social scenes.
The Finding of the Dwarf
Shows mercy and insight by pardoning the deserter, bandaging his wounds herself, and giving him a new mission to serve France.
Joan's First Battlefield
Leads the charge, inspires the troops, weeps for the dead, and protects captured priests.
Joan Makes Cowards Brave Victors
Leads the council, exposes their secret plan, and insists on an immediate offensive. Rallies the panicked troops and leads the successful assault on the Augustins.
She Gently Reproves Her Dear Friend
Reveals her foreknowledge of being wounded, dictates a letter to her mother, and overrules the council's cowardly decision to withdraw.
XXII: The Fate of France Decided
Wounded by an iron bolt, she countermands the retreat, leads the final assault on the Tourelles, and raises the siege of Orleans. She weeps for the drowning English and later sleeps like a tired child.
XXIII: Joan Inspires the Tawdry King
Returns to the King after the victory at Orleans, refuses personal reward, pleads for the coronation march, and reveals her premonition of a short life.
XXIV: Tinsel Trappings of Nobility
Joan is ennobled by the King but remains indifferent to the honor, seeing her own light as far greater than any human title.
At Last—Forward!
In great spirits, she reviews troops, mounts her great black horse at the cross, and leads the army with her standard and little battle-ax. She pleads with the King to march to Rheims and raises a new army of eight thousand men.
XXVI: The Last Doubts Scattered
Commander-in-Chief whose authority is now fully accepted; she laughs off fears about Jargeau and speaks of God's guidance.
How Joan Took Jargeau
Leads the assault on Jargeau, is wounded by a stone but rallies her troops, and accepts the surrender of the Earl of Suffolk.
Joan Foretells Her Doom
Falls into a prophetic trance, foretelling her own death within two years and a decisive French victory in four days.
Fierce Talbot Reconsiders
Leads the campaign, predicts victory, and reveals her death-warning vision of the Tree.
XXX: The Red Field of Patay
Commands the French army with strategic patience, leads the final charge, prophesies the long-term defeat of English power, and shows mercy to a dying enemy.
France Begins to Live Again
Celebrated as the ignorant country-maid whose seven-week campaign broke the back of the Hundred Years' War at Patay.
The Joyous News Flies Fast
Hailed as the Savior of France; protects the captured Talbot from the mob.
Joan's Five Great Deeds
Described as having the 'seeing eye' and being the only one who understood the priceless worth of the Coronation; her five great deeds are listed and analyzed.
The Jests of the Burgundians
Leads the march to Rheims, insists on assaulting Troyes, and later ransoms French prisoners from the Burgundians.
XXXV: The Heir of France Is Crowned
Rides in white armor, gazes at Rheims with deep joy; bids farewell to her army; secures tax exemption for Domremy; is adored by the people.
Joan Hears News from Home
Reunited with her father and uncle; expresses longing to return home and end her military life, believing her mission is complete.
Again to Arms
Torn between homesickness and duty; forgives her father; demonstrates swordplay; receives gifts from home; ultimately accepts the King's command to remain as commander.
The King Cries “Forward!”
Confronts the council with a grieved goddess demeanor, denounces the ministers' policies, and persuades the King to march on Paris.
We Win, but the King Balks
Dictates a summons to the Duke of Burgundy, bids farewell to her father and uncle, and argues with the King to advance on Paris.
XL: Treachery Conquers Joan
Wounded by a crossbow bolt at Paris, carried away by force, and heartbroken by the King's betrayal; she later submits to being moved from St. Denis against her will.
XLI: The Maid Will March No More
Endures months of inaction at court, planning imaginary campaigns. Leads several successful sorties but is ultimately captured at Compiègne on 24 May 1430.
Book III: Trial and Martyrdom
The protagonist, on trial for heresy, forced to abjure, and executed as a martyr.
The Maid in Chains
Captured and held prisoner; attempts escape twice; sold to the English; taken to Rouen and chained in a dungeon.
Joan Sold to the English
Sold to the English; held in Rouen; her name is too painful to speak.
III: Weaving the Net About Her
Imprisoned in an iron cage, chained, defiantly refuses offers of release and is betrayed by Loyseleur.
All Ready to Condemn
The accused; enters in chains, worn by captivity, yet still the object of reverence and pity.
Fifty Experts Against a Novice
Remains calm and defiant under intense questioning, refuses to reveal her revelations, and shows presence of mind throughout the trial.
The Maid Baffles Her Persecutors
Remains calm and collected despite hours of interrogation, chains, and a cold dungeon; her eyes convey unsubdued spirit; she skillfully avoids traps set by her persecutors.
Craft That Was in Vain
Defiantly refuses to swear fully, asserts her divine mission, and gives a masterful answer to the trap about Grace.
Joan Tells of Her Visions
Joan defends her visions and voices, describes her encounters with St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Marguerite, and explains her male attire as God's command.
Her Sure Deliverance Foretold
Shows happiness and contentment at the prophecy of deliverance, interprets it as death in prison, and boldly predicts English defeat within seven years.
X: The Inquisitors at Their Wits’ End
The prisoner, steadfast and composed, answers the court's questions with dignity and fire, refusing to be trapped.
The Court Reorganized for Assassination
Appears tired and dazed at the secret trial, but recovers her strength and answers with tact and wisdom, defending her divine mission and the honor of her standard.
Joan's Masterstroke Diverted
Defends herself against false accusations, explains her vow and male attire, speaks of her Voices' promise of deliverance and martyrdom.
XIII: The Third Trial Fails
Defends herself against false charges, refuses to lay off male attire without God's permission, and maintains her integrity despite the court's treachery.
Joan Struggles with Her Twelve Lies
Ill and chained in her iron cage, Joan resists Cauchon's demands, refuses to submit to the tribunal, and remains faithful to her mission and her Voices.
Undaunted by Threat of Burning
Appears well-rested and defiant, delivering a 'superb answer' when threatened with burning, and skillfully evading traps set by her interrogators.
XVI: Joan Stands Defiant Before the Rack
Defiant before the rack, she declares that even under torture she would retract any confession, showing unshakable courage and wisdom.
Supreme in Direst Peril
Imprisoned in a steel cage, isolated and deprived of liberty, light, and companionship, yet she continues to face her accusers with steadfast faith and intellect.
Condemned Yet Unafraid
Remains immovable during final admonition, declaring she would not recant even if in the fire itself.
Our Last Hopes of Rescue Fail
Condemned and awaiting execution; her spirit remains strong but her body is failing.
The Betrayal
Exhausted and pale, she defends her King and appeals to the Pope, but is tricked into signing an abjuration and betrayed with a sentence of perpetual imprisonment.
Respited Only for Torture
Exhausted and dazed after abjuration, she mechanically resumes woman's dress and is warned against relapsing.
Joan Gives the Fatal Answer
Relapses by wearing male attire again, reaffirms her divine mission, and expresses her desire to die rather than endure captivity.
XXIII: The Time Is at Hand
Condemned to death by fire, she dictates a final letter to her mother, shows concern for her followers, and finds peace through her faith and the Vision of the Tree.
XXIV: Joan the Martyr
The martyr, executed at the stake; she forgives her betrayers and prays for the King of France until her death.
Conclusion
Her martyrdom is recounted; her prophecy about Jacques dying in Domremy is fulfilled; her memory inspires loyalty; her character is praised as pure and selfless.
Endnotes
Her relics were destroyed in the Revolution; only a few signed documents remain; her poignant words about a fellow soldier are quoted.
