# La Hire — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc character guide > La Hire in Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Satan La Hire **First appearance:** 0026-xi-the-war-march-is-begun ## Snapshot A godless captain whose wild riders strike like storm-wind at Joan's command, he bows to her after Patay muttering, 'I will say it though I be damned for it.' ## Who they are La Hire launches his thundering charge at Joan's word, his great figure dominating the field with sword aloft like a flagstaff, while she waits—measuring, weighing, master of herself—until the golden moment. After the victory he passes before her bowing low, declaring France free but for Joan of Arc, damned or not. Yet the same day Louis finds her holding a dying English prisoner's head in her lap, weeping womanly tears—the contrast that makes her war both terrible and holy. ## Relationships ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _friendship_ La Hire was a loyal French captain and close comrade-in-arms who fought alongside Joan with fierce devotion. ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _friendship_ La Hire was a loyal French captain and close comrade-in-arms who fought alongside Joan with fierce devotion. ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _friendship_ La Hire was a loyal French captain and close comrade-in-arms who fought alongside Joan with fierce devotion. ## In the story ### [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) A fierce warrior and supporter of Joan in the camp. ### [Joan Leads Us Through the Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/iv-joan-leads-us-through-the-enemy) Implied as one of the knights present, given his role as a veteran commander. ### [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) Veteran commander now under Joan's command. ### [The Maid's Sword and Banner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/x-the-maid-s-sword-and-banner) Ordered by Joan to take charge of the recruiting station and depot of supplies at Blois. ### [The War March Is Begun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xi-the-war-march-is-begun) Summoned by Joan to command the recruits at Blois; called 'Satan himself' and a 'military hurricane.' ### [Joan Puts Heart in Her Army](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xii-joan-puts-heart-in-her-army) Initially skeptical, he submits to Joan's reforms, attends Mass, and prays; his rough manner contrasts with Joan's purity. ### [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) One of the Armagnac generals commanding a division, described as tough and lawless. ### [Joan's First Battlefield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xviii-joan-s-first-battlefield) Leads the final decisive charge that captures the bastille St. Loup. ### [Joan Makes Cowards Brave Victors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xx-joan-makes-cowards-brave-victors) Arrives during the council, enthusiastically supports Joan's plan to storm the forts, and later helps rally the troops during the assault on the Augustins. ### [She Gently Reproves Her Dear Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxi-she-gently-reproves-her-dear-friend) Mentioned as one of the men to whom Joan sends her command to keep the army in place. ### [XXII: The Fate of France Decided](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxii-the-fate-of-france-decided) Commanded the force on the Orleans side of the river; made a counterattack on the Tourelles via the bridge upon Joan's signal. ### [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) Mentioned as one of Joan's generals present at the festivities and the journey to Tours. ### [At Last—Forward!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxv-at-last-forward) Listed among the illustrious captains riding with Joan in the Grand Staff during her entry into Orleans. ### [XXVI: The Last Doubts Scattered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxvi-the-last-doubts-scattered) Passionately defends Joan's storm tactics in the council, declaring her a surpassing military genius. ### [How Joan Took Jargeau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxvii-how-joan-took-jargeau) Not explicitly mentioned in this chapter, but his presence in the army is implied. ### [Fierce Talbot Reconsiders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxix-fierce-talbot-reconsiders) Supports Joan's decisions and expresses confidence in her predictions. ### [XXX: The Red Field of Patay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxx-the-red-field-of-patay) Leads the initial cavalry charge against Fastolfe's corps, later praises Joan as the liberator of France. ### [The Jests of the Burgundians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-jests-of-the-burgundians) Supports Joan's judgment during the council, advocating for her leadership. ### [Again to Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxvii-again-to-arms) Mentioned as a grand swordsman who often fences with Joan; not present in the chapter. ### [The King Cries “Forward!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-king-cries-forward) Approves Joan's speech with a crash of his fist and later growls approval of her phrase 'At the point of the lance!' ### [XL: Treachery Conquers Joan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xl-treachery-conquers-joan) Implied as part of the army; not directly mentioned but present in the campaign. ### [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) Not mentioned in this chapter; omitted. ### [All Ready to Condemn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/iv-all-ready-to-condemn) Mentioned as a possible rescuer in Louis's desperate hopes. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/conclusion) Survives martyrdom by thirteen years, always fighting. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/endnotes) Originator of a famous prayer, officially recorded in the National Archives of France. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/la_hire - 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