# Saint Joan — Character guide

> Key figures in Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw.

- [Joan of Arc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/joan_of_arc.md): Joan arrives from the Vosges with voices, nerve, and a plan that nobody in authority asked for, then makes the plan work. Her unbounded certainty is her genius and her danger: she patronizes kings, lectures prelates, and
- [King Charles VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/king_charles_vii.md): Charles lives under a cloud of illegitimacy rumors and English victories, more comfortable hedging than ruling. Joan offers him Rheims and a crown, but every step toward coronation also makes her more indispensable and h
- [Peter Cauchon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/peter_cauchon.md): Cauchon is no cartoon villain: he believes the Church's authority over souls must be defended, and Joan's claim to direct divine instruction strikes at its foundation. He presides over her trial as a man doing what he th
- [Dunois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/dunois.md): Dunois knows war and knows the court's cowardice, so he recognizes Joan's military instinct faster than the politicians do. He fights beside her at Orleans and Rheims, loyal without being blind, and his easy competence t
- [Warwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/warwick.md): Warwick is a feudal magnate who understands that Joan's nationalism threatens the whole aristocratic order of ransom, chivalry, and negotiated war. He pursues her destruction with the calm of a man doing necessary politi
- [Robert de Baudricourt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/robert_de_baudricourt.md): Baudricourt is a practical soldier managing a minor garrison, and Joan's demand for horses and an escort strikes him as pure absurdity. His slow conversion from sarcasm to reluctant cooperation is the play's first demons
- [Bertrand de Poulengey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/squire_bertrand_de_poulengey.md): Poulengey serves in the provost-marshal's department under the blustering Robert de Baudricourt, who calls him Polly and treats him like a son. Where Robert is loud and will-less, Poulengey is lymphatic, absentminded, an
- [La Trémouille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/la_tremouille.md): As the king's most powerful advisor, La Trémouille controls patronage, war policy, and the purse strings Joan's mission depends on. He has spent years managing a timid king and a losing war by diplomacy and delay, and Jo
- [Agnes Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/agnes_sorel.md): Agnes Sorel occupies the delicate position of royal favorite in a court full of men who resent her influence and Joan's. She recognizes in the Maid a kindred refusal to accept the lot assigned to women, and her support g
- [John de Stogumber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/messire_john_de_stogumber.md): Stogumber represents the English faction at Joan's trial, and he wears his nationalism as loudly as his cassock. He is certain that Joan is a witch and a rebel, and his certainty grows crueler the more she refuses to be 
- [The Inquisitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/the_inquisitor.md): The Inquisitor arrives at Rouen as the Church's professional conscience, methodical where Stogumber is rabid and Cauchon is political. He genuinely believes Joan's private revelations threaten the authority of the Church
- [St. Catherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/st_catherine.md): One of the saints who speaks to Joan in her visions.
- [St. Margaret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/st_margaret.md): One of the saints who speaks to Joan in her visions.
- [La Hire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/la_hire.md): A rough soldier who fights alongside Joan.
- [Steward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/steward.md): The steward of Robert de Baudricourt's castle.
- [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/socrates.md): Ancient philosopher compared to Joan in the preface.
- [Napoleon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/napoleon.md): French emperor contrasted with Joan in the preface.
- [Shakespeare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/shakespeare.md): Playwright discussed in relation to Joan's story.
- [Mark Twain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/mark_twain.md): Author who wrote about Joan of Arc.
- [Voltaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/voltaire.md): Philosopher who wrote a satirical poem about Joan.
- [Andrew Lang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/andrew_lang.md): Author of a biography of Joan of Arc.
- [Schiller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/schiller.md): German playwright who wrote a play about Joan.
- [Luther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/luther.md): Reformer mentioned in the preface for comparison.
- [Galileo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/galileo.md): Scientist mentioned in the preface for comparison.
- [Muhammad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/muhammad.md): Prophet mentioned in the preface for comparison.
- [Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/christ.md): Central figure of Christianity mentioned in the preface.
- [George Washington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/george_washington.md): American general mentioned in the preface.
- [Newton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/newton.md): Scientist mentioned in the preface for comparison.
- [Wellington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/wellingon.md): British general mentioned in the preface.
- [The English](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/the_english.md): The collective English forces opposing Joan.
- [Brother John Lemaître](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters/brother_john_lemaitre.md): A deputy inquisitor at Joan's trial.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/saint_joan_se/characters