Studying history is as interesting as it is difficult. Not only is the content of chronicles, diaries and memoirs subjective and inaccurate, but the documents may well carry inaccurate information. And it also happens that it is more profitable for the sovereign that this or that historical fact is interpreted differently than before. And then textbooks were rewritten, "myths were debunked." As a result, history sometimes becomes a gossip among the sciences and a tool for ideological manipulation. Americans, for example, sincerely believe that Hitler was defeated by the States, but what is the level of patriotism in the country. And if you remember the fruits of Eurocentrism …
The details of Jeanne d'Arc's story are also commonly interpreted in different ways. But in the most popular version, Jeanne, a simple girl from a family of wealthy peasants, leaves her native village, achieves a meeting with the heir to the throne … And becomes the commander of an army aimed at saving Orleans during the most difficult years of the Hundred Years War for France. Of course, she is endowed with supernatural power: she hears the voices of the Archangel Michael and Saints Margaret and Catherine. The spirits whispered to her prophecies, suggested how to save France. In the Middle Ages, no one had any doubts about this, and legends about miracles associated with the prophetic gift of a virgin enveloped her biography.
And the faith in the victory of the Maid of Orleans and the newfound, thanks to her, faith in the king really inspired the troops and so raised their morale that victories began to be accomplished one after another. British troops began to give up their positions. And then Jeanne was betrayed, and she was taken prisoner, and then under the church court. Accused of heresy, witchcraft and other sins, which the judges decided to ascribe to her, and now the virgin was burned alive at the stake. And in 1920, the Catholic Church suddenly decided to change its mind and canonize Jeanne.
But was it really so? How could a simple peasant woman achieve a meeting with Charles VII? But even if she was accompanied by incredible luck to be accepted and listened to, how did Jeanne manage to gain such confidence that, in the absence of knowledge of military affairs, she achieved that Charles VII appointed her to command the troops? Yes, in the Middle Ages, people relied on scriptures, prophecies and legends in almost everything, but the class boundaries were almost stronger than all the walls and fortifications that existed then. Something extraordinary had to happen for a member of the lower class to be with the king. (As was the case, for example, with Rasputin. And although it was no longer the 15th century, but the 19th, he got to the palace not so easily.)
There is no other way to explain the events in Jeanne's life, except for the presence of her paranormal abilities, we cannot. Miraculous healings do not appear in any sources, but many of her contemporaries mentioned other unusual talents of Jeanne. First, the ability to hypnosis. Her voice influenced the warriors so that they rushed into any battle without a shadow of a doubt. They seemed to feel no pain: they fought furiously, even being mortally wounded. Secondly, Jeanne was a kind of prophet. The maiden heard the voices of the spirits that guided her actions and deeds, predicting the future, from childhood. Following their advice, Jeanne d'Arc and her army won many battles without making mistakes. For example, at the Battle of Pote, the British had a considerable numerical advantage: five thousand for one and a half thousand French. However, numerous invaders lost: they lost 2,500 people, the rest fled or were captured. The losses of the French were limited to ten! Even if we take into account that the military in their reports often exaggerate the enemy's losses and underestimate their own, this victory can only be explained by a miracle.
Another case described by an eyewitness: the rider cursed dirtyly when he saw the Virgin in armor, in response to which she predicted imminent death to him. And this overtook the rider. And once, in the heat of battle, Jeanne warned her comrade-in-arms that he would be hit by a cannon shot if he did not move away. He withdrew, and instead of him another knight took the fatal position. Of course, a cannonball immediately flew in and interrupted its existence.
It turns out that the maiden was still able to influence the heir to the throne, possessing such abilities. But even the most skilled magician will not be able to master combat weapons at the proper level without long and persistent training. And Jeanne the peasant very skillfully wielded both a sword and a battle ax, although she hardly prepared for this from childhood. The maiden was confident in the saddle and knew how to wear armor. Contemporaries recalled that Jeanne participated and won knightly tournaments. Also, Virgo was very good at playing rings, a game popular among the nobility. Jeanne's knowledge in the art of war, as well as in other sciences, was very great. Other military leaders of that time, for example, Marshal Gilles de Rais, for example, took part in the hostilities, but she made decisions on her own, without their prompts. It is hard to believe that the voices in her head would have time to give her advice on the use of weapons and tactics, especially as saints. There are other reasons to doubt that Jeanne d'Arc came from the lower class. But it was profitable to pass her off as a peasant - it was a great way to inspire people who were pretty much exhausted by the war.
Therefore, it is time to consider the version according to which the Maid of Orleans was born from the illegal union of Louis, Duke of Orleans, and the French queen Isabella of Bavaria. Isabella's marriage to Charles VI was a mistake. The king was sometimes possessed by madness. Charles, even in a clear mind, could not tolerate the sight of Isabella and almost openly lived in the palace Saint-Paul with Odette de Chamdiver. The Queen responded in kind, choosing Louis. It is possible that the duke also had a son of Isabella, the heir to the throne, later Charles VII. (Many sources claim that Charles himself did not believe that he was the legitimate son of the king.) But if Charles VII could still be passed off as the son of the French king, then it did not work out with Jeanne: the couple had not been together for too long.
And the king would not have tolerated an illegitimate child near him. Therefore, in great secrecy, the newborn was sent to the village of Domréme, to the family of Jacques d'Arc and his wife Isabella, nee de Vouton. And Jacques d'Arc was not a poor farmer, and his ancestors were once knights. The family coat of arms is, moreover, older than the 15th century: “On the azure field there is a golden bow and three crossed arrows with tips, two of which are bound in gold and equipped with silver plumage, and the third is made of silver with gold plumage, with a silver head crowned with a scarlet lion . Jacques owned vast lands, was the headman of Domremi and the commander of the archers of the local militia. And his income a year exceeded five thousand francs.
Jeanne was brought up as a boy. Maybe because of temper, or maybe because the family was used to raising boys (Jacques and Isabella had sons by that time). Much attention was paid to teaching martial arts, so Jeanne confidently held herself both in the saddle and in sword fighting. Virgo is well trained: her speech was harmonious and literate, not like that of ordinary peasants of that time.
So the appearance of the Maid of Orleans at her brother's residence and what happened afterwards is very similar to a detailed plan. As a result, the invaders were driven out, and Charles VII was confirmed on the throne and anointed. But Jeanne has now become not just an unnecessary gear, but also a threat to power. After all, one of the enemies of the throne and rivals of the king could have unearthed facts that were beneficial for himself and questioned the legality of the rule of Charles VII. And that is why the king decided to get rid of the heroine, giving her to the will of opponents, to whom Jeanne blew enough …
But who could be the author of this plan and its executor? Feudal lords? They fought among themselves and did not have such a strong influence on society. There was no king in France … So, there is only one organization left - the church! The Church suffered from the war just like everyone else, but to a lesser extent. Who had the opportunity to walk freely on the roads that were teeming with gangs of robbers? Monks! And there was no point in robbing them. And who was literate enough to communicate information and influence popular opinion? Only the church!
And so she did it! Joan's confessor encouraged her to go to the Dauphin. There she was taken to him and provided with "information support." Then, when Jeanne was recognized at court, who throughout France announced that Jeanne the Virgin had appeared, and the king gave her an army? It was reported from the pulpits of the churches! True, in our textbooks on the history of the Middle Ages, it was previously reported that this "popular rumor" spread. But … to drag from village to village just to tell about Zhanna and the miracles that appear to her? What if the robbers? What if the British raided the village? Who will protect the family and children, drive the cattle into the forest? No, the French men were sitting in their villages and did not stick their noses out of there. But then they were going to church, and there the next miracle was announced to them from the pulpit - and how could they not believe it?
Jeanne wanted an unusual sword … and she immediately found it in an ancient chapel, and even with three crosses on the blade, and "popular rumor" immediately reported that it was not just a sword, but the legendary sword of Karl Martell, with which he beat the Arabs. What kind of “popular masses” were informed in history in France at that time, they knew everything and understood everything ?!
Well, and when Jeanne began to show obstinacy (one more proof of her not downtrodden and clear mind), where did the first voices sounded that God had turned away from Jeanne? In churches and cathedrals! And everyone immediately found out about it, although there was no telephone, no telegraph, no newspapers then, but there were enough monks who went from diocese to diocese, just like carrier pigeons!
Well, who was the direct executor of this plan, surrounded by Jeanne? Who supplied the church with information about miracles and prophecies, suggested the right decisions, or came up with them so that "popular rumor" would spread them throughout the country? Well, of course, Gilles de Rais is the only one from her entourage who, after the victory, ended up in a dungeon, and was executed for the massacres of women and children! The prototype of the Brothers Grimm "Bluebeard"! I just want to say about him a sacramental phrase: "He knew too much!"
There is also a version that instead of Jeanne, another woman was burned, and the maiden herself managed to escape, get married and even leave offspring. It could have been, probably, and this.
