# The Paladin — Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc character guide > The Paladin in Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Captain Paladin, Paladin **First appearance:** 0018-iii-the-paladin-groans-and-boasts ## Snapshot A windy giant of a soldier whose imaginary battles—swum in blood and spattered with lies—captivate Catherine and drive his rivals to jealous distraction. ## Who they are The Paladin holds court in the big house where Joan's admirers gather, spinning campaigns so vivid that Catherine hides behind her fan and shakes with delight. Louis and the other young men seethe as this ill-deserving braggart monopolizes the beloved girl with tales inflated a hundred lies beyond truth. His comic vanity and the rivalry it breeds give the early chapters their warmth and humor before the war's grim turn. ## Relationships ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _friendship_ The Paladin was a boastful but devoted soldier and friend who served as Joan's companion and protector. ### [Noël Rainguesson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/noel_rainguesson) _friendship_ Noël Rainguesson and The Paladin were fellow soldiers and close friends, often sharing adventures and banter. ### [Catherine Boucher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/catherine_boucher) _social_ Catherine Boucher and The Paladin were acquaintances through their mutual connection to Joan, with The Paladin often visiting her home. ### [Charles VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/charles_vii) _professional_ Charles VII and The Paladin had a distant professional relationship, as The Paladin was a soldier in the king's service. ### [Noël Rainguesson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/noel_rainguesson) _friendship_ Noël Rainguesson and The Paladin were fellow soldiers and close friends, often sharing adventures and banter. ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _friendship_ The Paladin was a boastful but devoted soldier and friend who served as Joan's companion and protector. ### [Noël Rainguesson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/noel_rainguesson) _friendship_ Noël Rainguesson and The Paladin were fellow soldiers and close friends, often sharing adventures and banter. ### [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/joan_of_arc) _friendship_ The Paladin was a boastful but devoted soldier and friend who served as Joan's companion and protector. ### [Charles VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/charles_vii) _professional_ Charles VII and The Paladin had a distant professional relationship, as The Paladin was a soldier in the king's service. ### [Catherine Boucher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/catherine_boucher) _social_ Catherine Boucher and The Paladin were acquaintances through their mutual connection to Joan, with The Paladin often visiting her home. ### [Catherine Boucher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/catherine_boucher) _social_ Catherine Boucher and The Paladin were acquaintances through their mutual connection to Joan, with The Paladin often visiting her home. ## In the story ### [Joan Tames the Mad Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/iv-joan-tames-the-mad-man) Boastful boy who claims he would lead charges but is exposed as a coward. ### [Domremy Pillaged and Burned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/v-domremy-pillaged-and-burned) Boastfully criticizes the French generals and claims he could save France if made an officer, but is mocked by the others. ### [Why the Scorners Relented](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/viii-why-the-scorners-relented) Falsely claims engagement to Joan; is exposed and defeated in court. ### [The Governor Speeds Joan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/ii-the-governor-speeds-joan) Mentioned as part of the group that departs with Joan. ### [The Paladin Groans and Boasts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/iii-the-paladin-groans-and-boasts) Boastful and self-aggrandizing; claims to have volunteered but was actually forcibly conscripted; limps from the march. ### [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) Mentioned as part of the company, though not directly active in this chapter. ### [We Pierce the Last Ambuscades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/v-we-pierce-the-last-ambuscades) Swaggers and boasts after the journey; mocked by Noël for cowardice during the fog. ### [VI: Joan Convinces the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/vi-joan-convinces-the-king) Mentioned as part of the young company awaiting the king's audience. ### [Our Paladin in His Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/vii-our-paladin-in-his-glory) The central figure of the chapter, he revels in his new costume and becomes the hero of the inn, captivating audiences with his ever-growing, sincere fabrications about the Royal Audience and his own exploits. ### [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) Initially anxious about his chances, he is appointed Joan's banner-bearer and vows to follow her into the fire. ### [The War March Is Begun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xi-the-war-march-is-begun) Appointed Standard-Bearer; described as a 'windmill' and 'majestic' figure. ### [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) Mentioned in a memory of Domremy where Joan rebuked him for speaking lightly of La Hire and the Bastard of Orleans. ### [My Exquisite Poem Goes to Smash](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xv-my-exquisite-poem-goes-to-smash) Boastful storyteller who monopolizes attention with exaggerated battle tales, especially to impress Catherine Boucher. ### [The Finding of the Dwarf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xvi-the-finding-of-the-dwarf) Mentioned as being ahead of Louis in the column, appearing droopy but not confirmed; later compared in size to the Dwarf. ### [Sweet Fruit of Bitter Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xvii-sweet-fruit-of-bitter-truth) Boasts about the army and takes precedence in talk; agrees to confront the ghost. ### [Joan's First Battlefield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xviii-joan-s-first-battlefield) Carries the banner and fights valiantly under Joan's eye, cracking helmets with his axe. ### [We Burst in Upon Ghosts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xix-we-burst-in-upon-ghosts) Rehearses his battle deeds, piling up exaggerated numbers of dead enemies. ### [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) Described as afraid of his shadow except under Joan's eye; he holds her standard and reports when its fringes touch the fortress. ### [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 part of Joan's company; not directly active in this chapter. ### [XXIV: Tinsel Trappings of Nobility](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxiv-tinsel-trappings-of-nobility) The Paladin is vexed by the d'Arc brothers' new nobility and worries about losing precedence in civil functions, though he later claims to value merit over accident. ### [XXVI: The Last Doubts Scattered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxvi-the-last-doubts-scattered) Serves as sentry at Joan's door in brave new armor, with a kitten asleep on his shoulder. ### [How Joan Took Jargeau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxvii-how-joan-took-jargeau) Struck down at Joan's side during the initial assault but later carries the standard in the final assault. ### [Joan Foretells Her Doom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxviii-joan-foretells-her-doom) Mentioned as having told Catherine about Joan's bravery in saving the duke from cannonballs. ### [The Jests of the Burgundians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-jests-of-the-burgundians) Bears Joan's banner during the entry into Troyes. ### [Joan Hears News from Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxxvi-joan-hears-news-from-home) Present during the reunion; comments on Laxart's tale. ### [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) Entertains the peasants with a dramatic and exaggerated account of the Battle of Patay, claiming to have captured Talbot and Fastolfe. ### [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) Fights bravely alongside the Dwarf to protect Joan; both are killed in the final stand at the boulevard. ### [The Maid in Chains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/i-the-maid-in-chains) Mentioned indirectly as part of the friends who remained silent during Joan's captivity. ### [Joan Sold to the English](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/ii-joan-sold-to-the-english) Died heroically in battle, holding the sacred standard; praised for his luck and glory. ### [Joan's Masterstroke Diverted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xii-joan-s-masterstroke-diverted) Mentioned in the context of the marriage case at Toul; Joan defeated him in court years earlier. ### [Respited Only for Torture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/chapters/xxi-respited-only-for-torture) Rejoices with Louis, believing Joan's life is saved and that France will rise to rescue her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_recollections_of_joan_of_arc_se/characters/the_paladin - 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