There are many fascinating stories connected with the Hundred Years' War and, fortunately for us, some good translations of some of the best source material for this period. We have, for instance this account of the
trial of Joan of Arc. Read through the selection and note what you find particularly interesting or important.
One thing that really stuck out to me is that she recognized Robert de Baudricourt when she'd never seen him before or heard his voice before. Another thing that surprised me is asked about the king and seeing an angel above the king she immediately passed on answering those questions. I also don't understand by the Bishop or anyone wouldn't believe that the voices Joan was claiming to hear weren't good voices, but that of the devil. For being such spiritual men the refused to believe that something good as happened?
ReplyDeleteIt just makes me curious, to see a comparison of such things between then and now firsthand. Nowadays, we would probably just call such a woman or man insane; to follow the voices I am hearing, and that they will lead us to victory! But strangely enough- what if they did? Could it be strong intuition projecting it's way to work past gullible people who will be believe nothing short of God's intervention? In our society today, such a person would be labeled insane- but probably wouldn't go without their following of people who believed them. Evidence such as victory given through "the voices of angels/God" etc would seem compelling to those indeed, unless you're the enemy. Today's world is surely kinder than before, it seems. -Tyler Beck
ReplyDeleteWhen Joan hearing "voices" which she claimed from Saint Catherine, Saint Margaret, and Saint Michael. This is so impressed me because the motive is divine and interesting. And also the main part for me is the last scene when she captured by John of Luxembourg. After that, she suspected heresy and witchcraft. In this point, I noticed mental level of people in that time. Absolutely, she was not witch, but Cauchon couldn't save her, and Joan was burned at the stake.
ReplyDeleteWhat i found most interesting about this reading was when the distinguished professor, Master John Beaupère, questioned Joan on all of her skills and knoweledge. It seemed as if she wasnt good enough for anything he needed and was looking for and she still stood up to him and herself knowing that she can do whatever she needs and is stroung enough and has the ability to do what other women can. She said "if you were well informed about me, you should wish that I were out of your hands. I have done nothing save by revelation." She is capable of doing many challenges and made sure he was aware.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazes me about this whole trial is that while Joan swore to tell the truth many times and told her story and insisted that the voices she was hearing were good voices that were telling her to do good things, the prosecutors still didn't believe her but believed that she was possessed by the devil. One part that is especially interesting was when she recognized Robert de Baudricourt even though she had never seen him before in his life but she claimed that the voice was telling her that it was him. I understand how hard it is to believe someone who claims they are hearing the voice of god in their head and how is someone said that you would want to believe that they were crazy but the testimony and actions of Joan were not those of a guilty person and should not have led to the belief that she was possessed by the devil
ReplyDeleteThis prosecution was not so much about her being tried for being possessed by the devil but finding punishment for eventually costing the English a victory in the hundred years war.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that they put her on trial because she saved the french from swinging the balance of the Hundreds Year war at Orleans. Being that during this time that many people claimed to hear voices from God or other angels/ saints I find it weird that they did not believe here just because of her sex. She recongized Robert de Baudricourt even though she had never met him let alone heard his voice.
ReplyDeleteI found the trial interesting because Joan swore to tell the truth and the prosecutors still didn't believe her but believed that she was possessed by the devil. If she followed the good voices in her head , they will lead us to victory. She recognized Robert de Baudricourt even though she had never met him let alone heard his voice.
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