Year 8 Humanities and Social Sciences

History: The Ancient to the Modern World (c650-1750AD)

What is History?
 Why study history?
 Primary and secondary sources
 What are primary and secondary sources?
 Reliability of sources.

Depth Study 1: Investigating Medieval Europe

Overview of Medieval World 590-1500:

 Primary reasons for fall of Western Roman Empire
 Spread of Christianity and Islam
Trade routes and voyages of discovery;
 Explorers eg Marco Polo
 Trade routes by sea and land
 Effects of trade
 Developments of new markets
Contact and conflict;
 Battle of Hastings
 Crusades
Timeline
 Construct a timeline of the period

HASS AC 8 pp 248-253
Pearson HASS pp 190-197
YouTube: Crash Course World History; The Dark Ages

Medieval Society:
Feudalism
 What is feudalism?
Feudalism was based on the exchange of land for military service. King William the Conqueror
used the concept of feudalism to reward his Norman supporters for their help in the conquest of
England. Life lived under the Medieval Feudal System, or Feudalism, demanded that everyone
owed allegiance to the King and their immediate superior.
 Feudalism had a dramatic effect on England and Europe during the Middle Ages. The pyramid of
power which was the Feudal system ran to a strict 'pecking' order - during the Medieval period of
the Middle Ages everyone knew their place. The emergence of the Medieval Feudal System of the
Middle Ages affected all spheres of Medieval society: a land-based economy, the judicial system
and the rights of the feudal lords under the feudal system and the lack of rights for the serfs and
peasants. The events which led to the decline of the feudal system.

 How was it used?

www.lordsandladies.org/feudalism.htm

Social Hierarchy
 What was the feudal pyramid?

Feudalism Pyramid
Feudalism in the Middle Ages resembles a pyramid, with the lowest peasants at its base and the lines of
authority flowing up to the peak of the structure, the king.

Under Feudalism the King was only answerable to the Pope. Feudalism was based on the
exchange of land for military service. Life lived under the Medieval Feudal System, or Feudalism,
demanded that everyone owed allegiance to the King and their immediate superior.

Feudalism Pyramid - Fealty and Homage

During the Middle Ages a portion of land called a fief would be granted by the King. This reward
would be granted to him by his lord in exchange for his services. The recipient of the fief would
be one of his vassals. The fief, or land, was usually granted following a Commendation
Ceremony. The commendation ceremony was designed to create a lasting bond between a
vassal and his lord. Fealty and homage were a key element of feudalism.

The Feudalism Pyramid in England -

How it worked
Feudalism in England can be easily described through a pyramid:

 At the top of the Feudalism Pyramid was the King

 The King claimed ownership of the land
 The King granted the land to important nobles - these nobles then pledged their loyalty by
swearing to serve and protect the king
 The king also granted land to the less powerful military men (the knights) who were called
vassals
 The vassals also agreed to fight for the king in exchange for their land
  The land was worked by the peasants or serfs. They belonged to the land and could not
leave without permission - the bottom of the Feudalism pyramid.

The Feudalism Pyramid - The Social Pyramid of Power

The good thing about the Feudalism Pyramid of Power was that is was possible for everyone to
move higher up the ranks of the pyramid and this is what everyone aspired to do. Medieval
Squires and Pages of the Middle Ages wanted to become knights. A Knight who proved valiant in
battle or was successful at jousting in tournaments could become wealthy. His wealth could pay
for a castle. His importance in the land would increase and he could then join the nobility.
Powerful nobles aspired to be King - and the Medieval history of the Middle Ages under the
feudalism pyramid describes such coups.

Feudalism - The Pyramid of Power

The pyramid of power which was the Feudal system ran to a strict 'pecking' order - during the
Medieval period of the Middle Ages everyone knew their place. The order of rank and
precedence in the Medieval Feudal System was as follows:

The Pope
The King
Nobles
Knights / Vassals
Freemen
Yeomen
Servants
Peasants / Serfs / Villeins

The Feudalism Pyramid and the Pope

Feudalism was based on the belief that the land belonged to God - but that the Kings, who ruled
by Divine Right, managed the land and used it as they wished. However, under the Feudalism
pyramid the King was answerable to the Pope. The Pope, as God's vicar on Earth, had the right
to intervene and impose sanctions on an unjust King. Under the feudalism pyramid the Pope had
the power to pronounce judgement against a King, depose a King, forfeit his Kingdom, put
another King in his place or excommunicate a King. The power and pronouncements of the Pope
played a major part in the History of England. The Pope declared the Norman Invasion as a Holy
Crusade and declared his support of William the Conqueror against the claim of King Harold.

 Which social groups existed in Medieval Europe?

HASS AC 8 pp 254-256
Pearson HASS pp 188/9
Power of the Church
 The Catholic Church
 Pope vs King

The Feudalism Pyramid - The Pyramid of Power in the Church

The Feudalism pyramid also applied to the secular order of the church. Clerics wanted to be
Bishops who in turn would aspire to be made an archbishop. Archbishops in turn might become
extremely ambitious and aspire to become Pope. The Feudalism pyramid of the church would
include the following positions:

 The Pope
Bishop
Arch Bishop
Arch Deacon
Abbot
Prior
Dean
Monks

Way of life in Medieval Europe:

Peasant and Manor House
 How did the feudal manor operate?
 How was the manor organised?
 What was life like for peasants in the manor?

The Peasant's Life

The International History Project
Date: 2001

About nine tenths of the people were peasants--farmers or village laborers. Only a few of these were
freemen--peasants who were not bound to a lord and who paid only a fixed rent for their land. The vast
majority were serfs and villeins. Theoretically, the villeins had wider legal rights than the serfs and fewer
duties to the lords. There was little real difference, however.

A peasant village housed perhaps ten to 60 families. Each family lived in a dark, dank hut made of wood or
wicker daubed with mud and thatched with straw or rushes. Layers of straw or reeds covered the floor,
fouled by the pigs, chickens, and other animals housed with the family. The one bed was a pile of dried
leaves or straw. All slept in their rough garb, with skins of animals for cover. A cooking fire of peat or wood
burned drearily day and night in a clearing on the dirt floor. The smoke seeped out through a hole in the roof
or the open half of a two-piece door. The only furniture was a plank table on trestles, a few stools, perhaps a
chest, and probably a loom for the women to make their own cloth. Every hut had a vegetable patch.

All the peasants worked to support their lord. They gave about half their time to work in his fields, cut
timber, haul water, spin and weave, repair his buildings, and wait upon his household. In war, the men had to
fight at his side. Besides labor, peasants had to pay taxes to their lord in money or produce. They had to
give a tithe to the church--every tenth egg, sheaf of wheat, lamb, chicken, and all other animals.

Famines were frequent. Plagues depleted the livestock. Frosts, floods, and droughts destroyed the crops.
Bursts of warfare ravaged the countryside as the lords burned each other's fields and harvests.

The peasants' lot was hard, but most historians consider it little worse than that of peasants today. Because
of the many holidays, or holy days, in the Middle Ages, peasants actually labored only about 260 days a
year. They spent their holidays in church festivals, watching wandering troups of jongleurs, journeying to
mystery or miracle plays, or engaging in wrestling, bowling, cockfights, apple bobs, or dancing.

Entertainment, toiletries and food

 Rich vs Poor
 Daily Life
 Clothes
 Hygiene
 Food
 Entertainment
 Tournaments and fairs
 Housing- Living conditions
 Medieval medicine and healthcare

HASS AC 8 pp255-7
Pearson HASS pp 202-205
www.history-world.org/peasant.htm

Crusades- Exchange of Ideas:

 What were the Crusades?

The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims
started primarily to secure control of holy sites considered sacred by both
groups. In all, eight major Crusade expeditions occurred between 1096 and
1291. The bloody, violent and often ruthless conflicts propelled the status of
European Christians, making them major players in the fight for land in the
Middle East.

 How did the Crusades begin?

The Crusades   started in 1095 when Pope Claremont preached the First Crusade at the Council of
Claremont. The Pope's preaching led to thousands immediately affixing the cross to their garments - the
name Crusade given to the Holy Wars came from old French word 'crois' meaning 'cross'

 How did relationships change between Islam and the west?

By the end of the 11th century, Western Europe had emerged as a significant
power in its own right, though it still lagged behind other Mediterranean
civilizations, such as that of the Byzantine Empire  (formerly the eastern half of
the Roman Empire ) and the Islamic Empire of the Middle East and North Africa.

However, Byzantium had lost considerable territory to the invading Seljuk Turks.
After years of chaos and civil war, the general Alexius Comnenus seized the
Byzantine throne in 1081 and consolidated control over the remaining empire as
Emperor Alexius I.

In 1095, Alexius sent envoys to Pope Urban II asking for mercenary troops from
the West to help confront the Turkish threat. Though relations between
Christians in the East and West had long been fractious, Alexius’s request came
at a time when the situation was improving.

In November 1095, at the Council of Clermont in southern France, the Pope

called on Western Christians to take up arms to aid the Byzantines and recapture
the Holy Land from Muslim control. This marked the beginning of the Crusades.

Pope Urban’s plea was met with a tremendous response, both among the military
elite as well as ordinary citizens. Those who joined the armed pilgrimage wore a
cross as a symbol of the Church.

The Crusades set the stage for several religious knightly military orders,
including the Knights Templar , the Teutonic Knights, and the Hospitallers. These
groups defended the Holy Land and protected pilgrims traveling to and from the
region.
Did you know? In a popular movement known as the Children's Crusade (1212), a motley
crew including children, adolescents, women, the elderly and the poor marched all the way
from the Rhineland to Italy behind a young man named Nicholas, who said he had
received divine instruction to march toward the Holy Land

 What were the positive effects of the Crusades on Medieval Europe?

While the Crusades ultimately resulted in defeat for Europeans, many argue that
they successfully extended the reach of Christianity and Western civilization. The
Roman Catholic Church experienced an increase in wealth, and the power of the
Pope was elevated after the Crusades ended.

Trade and transportation also improved throughout Europe as a result of the

Crusades. The wars created a constant demand for supplies and transportation,
which resulted in ship-building and the manufacturing of various supplies.

After the Crusades, there was a heightened interest in travel and learning
throughout Europe, which some historians believe may have paved the way for
the Renaissance .

 What were the negative effects of the crusades on Medieval Europe?

Among followers of Islam , however, the Crusaders were regarded as immoral,

bloody and savage. The ruthless and widespread massacre of Muslims, Jews
and other non-Christians resulted in bitter resentment that persisted for many
years. Even today, some Muslims derisively refer to the West’s involvement in
the Middle East as a “crusade.”

There’s no question that the years of bloody conflict brought by the Crusades
had an impact on Middle East and Western European nations for many years,
and still influence political and cultural views and opinions held today

HASS AC 8 pp 257-260
Pearson HASS pp 206-209
www.history.com/topics/crusades
Youtube: Crash Course World History; The Crusades
Continuity & Change Crime and Punishment:
 Examples of crimes that existed
There were different types of medieval crimes. Theft was very common as people were mostly poor, although stealing of
valuable and less valuable items had different kinds of punishments. Vagrancy was also considered a crime during the Middle
Ages as it was against the law to be a homeless or a jobless person. The gossip of women was also a type of crime. People not
working hard, cheating on ones spouse and being drunk and disorderly were also considered to be punishable medieval
crimes. Murder was also a very common crime in medieval times, high treason, heresy and witchcraft were also the types of
crime that had strict punishments.

 Different types of punishment

Different types of punishments were awarded for different types of crimes. For theft the punishment was extra work and fines or the hands
of the guilty were cut off. Murderers were given the death penalty by hanging or beheading. Flogging was the punishment for people not
working hard enough whereas the people accused of cheating and drunkenness were put in the stocks or pillory. The Stocks held peoples
ankles whereas the pillory held their heads and wrists. The punishment for women’s gossip was the scold’s bridle. The punishment of high
treason was very severe as the culprit was hung and cut down while he was still alive. Then he was beheaded and body hacked into four
quarters, which were then sent to different cities throughout the realm and were put on public display. The punishment for heresy was
banishment if the culprit repented and was burnt at the stake if did not repent. The punishment for witchcraft was strangulation whereas in
case of serious offenses witches were also burned at stake.

Crimes such as theft and murder were very common during the medieval ages and in order to create the fear in the hearts of people strict
punishments were given to guilty people. These punishments included fines, mutation, banishment and death through hanging and by being
burned at the stake.

 What is trial by ordeal?

The King’s Court – Trial by Ordeal

The King’s court dealt with the serious crimes such as assault, murder and treason as these crimes were considered as crimes
against the King. The King’s court met several times in a year and had a prominent role in the medieval crimes and
punishment system. The accused had to face the trial by ordeal in which their innocence or guilt was judged by subjecting
them to unpleasant ordeals. These ordeals were ordeals by fire, The ordeal by water and The ordeal by Combat.

 What is trial by combat?

Medieval Punishment – Ordeal by Combat
In case of ordeal by combat the two parties in dispute had to fight. It was mostly done when one party was accused by the other, but there
were no witnesses or confessions. The winner of the fight was declared innocent. It was one of the most common methods employed by the
judiciary during the middle ages
  How did the Magna Carta change the law system in Medieval Europe?

What is the Magna Carta? The Magna Carta is a document that King John of England (1166 - 1216) was
forced into signing. King John was forced into signing the charter because it greatly reduced the power he
held as the King of England and allowed for the formation of a powerful parliament. The Magna Carta
became the basis for English citizen's rights and played a significant role in the American Constitution.

What was the purpose of the Magna Carta?

What was the purpose of the Magna Carta? The purpose of the Magna Carta was to curb the
King and make him govern by the old English laws that had prevailed before the Normans came.
The Magna Carta was a collection of 37 English laws - some copied, some recollected, some old
and some new. The Magna Carta demonstrated that the power of the king could be limited by a
written grant.

Who wrote the Magna Carta?

The content of the Magna Carta was drafted by Archbishop Stephen Langton and the most
powerful Barons of England. King John signed the document which was originally called the
'Articles of the Barons' on June 10, 1215. The barons renewed the Oath of Fealty to King John
on June 15, 1215. The royal chancery produced a formal royal grant, based on the agreements
reached at Runnymede, which became known as Magna Carta. Copies of the Magna Carta were
distributed to bishops, sheriffs and other important people throughout England.

Important Facts about the Magna Carta

Interesting information and important facts:

 Key Dates relating to the event: The Magna Carta was signed by King John on June 15, 1215
 Other names for Magna Carta: It is also referred to as the Magna Charter or the Great Charter
 Where was the Magna Carta signed? The Magna Carta was signed by King John in a meadow at
Runnymede  in Egham, Surrey, South England ( between Windsor and Staines)
 Key People relating to the event: King John of England, Archbishop Stephen Langton and the
Barons
 Why the Magna Carta was famous and important to the history of England? The charter is
considered to be the beginning of constitutional government in England. The Magna Carta
demonstrated that the power of the king could be limited by a written grant.

Why the Magna Carta was important to the History of America

A document signed by an English King in 1215! Why the Magna Carta was important to the
history of America? The Magna Carta is considered the founding document of English liberties
and hence American liberties. The influence of Magna Carta can be seen in the United States
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Article 21 from the Declaration of Rights in the Maryland
Constitution of 1776 reads:
 "That no freeman ought to be taken, or imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties, or
privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty, or
property, but by the judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land."

King John and the Magna Carta

What events led up to King John being forced into the signing of the Magna Carta?

 In 1205 King John quarrelled with the Pope Innocent III about who should be archbishop of
Canterbury. The Pope wanted a man named Stephen Langton to be archbishop, but King John
swore he should never come to England.
 In 1209 The pope retaliated, excommunicated King John and banned all church services in all
parish churches
 King John gave in, and Pope Innocent made the king and people pay him money whenever he
demanded it.
 Taxes levied by King John were extortionate. His reprisals against defaulters were ruthless and his
idea justice was considered avaricious
 In 1212 King John imposes taxes on the Barons in his attempts to regain the lost lands of
Aquitaine, Poitou and Anjou
 King John quarrels with the Barons over his methods of ruling England
 The Barons and Stephen Langton decided to curb the King and make him govern by the old
English laws that had prevailed before the Normans came. The demands of the Barons were
documented in the 'Articles of the Barons' in January 1215
 The Barons took up arms against King John
 The Barons captured London in May 1215
 In June the Barons, in full armor, took King John by surprise at Windsor and he agreed to a
meeting at Runnymede
 King John signed and sealed the document on June 10, 1215
 The barons renewed the Oath of Fealty to King John on June 15, 1215
 The royal chancery produced a formal royal grant, based on the agreements reached at
Runnymede, which became known as Magna Carta
 Copies of the Magna Carta were distributed to bishops, sheriffs and other important people
throughout England

King John had no intention of abiding by the Magna Carta. His duplicity leads to the Barons War
between 1215 - 1217. The rebel barons support  the son of the king of France, Prince Louis in
preference to King John. In 1216 Prince Louis invades England and marches to London where
he receives support and is was proclaimed and accepted as King of England (although not
actually crowned). King John dies in October. The Barons turn on Prince Louis and supports the
nine year old son of King John who then became King Henry III of England.

Why the Magna Carta was Important to the History of England

 The Magna Carta is considered to be the foundations of a constitutional government in England. It led
to a great change in the perception and the power of the king.

It changed the kind of power a parliament could exert on king and the country, and it also established
a basic set of civil rights for citizens residing in England.

The Magna Carta demonstrated that the power of the king could be limited by a document.

The Magna Carta is considered as the document that provided the foundations for English liberties,
which were then extended when the English left and travelled to America. These liberties were then
adopted by the new arrivals and used as part of their own declaration of civil rights.

The influence of Magna Carta can be seen in some of the most important documents in American
history, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Article 21 from the Declaration of Rights in the Maryland Constitution of 1776 reads:

"That no freeman ought to be taken, or imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties, or

privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty, or
property, but by the judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land."
Summary of the Magna Carta

The Magna Carta was a revolutionary document that helped shape society, human rights, religion and
politics, both in England and in America.

The Magna Carta promised a set of laws that were fair on all of the people, and not just the people
who had money. This important document stated that everyone should have access to the courts, no
matter what the costs and no matter what financial circumstances that person had.

It also states that no free citizen would be imprisoned or punished without first going through a
proper legal system. This was a huge leap for civil rights, and it is one of the clauses of the Magna
Carta that has helped shape modern law.

The last few sections of the Magna Carta detail how the caluses should be implemented in the law and
executed throughout the country. Initially twenty five barons were given the responsibility of making
sure that the king adhered to the clauses as described in the Magna Carta, and the same document
gives them permission to use force against the king if they felt it was necessary.

King John agreed to the Magna Carta, and even consented to the use of the Royal Seal to give the
formal document impact. However, his support was superficial and King John quickly made it obvious
that he had no intention of honouring the laws as described in the document. This was King John’s
biggest, and final mistake.

The creation of the Magna Carta ensured that:

o The Church would be able to operate free from royal interference. This was especially important in
the process of electing bishops.
o Citizens of England could expect no taxes except for the regular feudal dues that were expected.
Additional taxes could only be levied with the consent of the Great Council or Parliament

o Citizens of England could expect fairer trials and they were not subject to punishment by the king.

o Citizens of England could expect fair weights and measures that would be uniformed throughout
the country.

 Trial by jury

Manorial Courts & Trial by Jury

The Manorial Court was the lowest court of law during the medieval period. All crimes apart from serious crimes were dealt by the manorial
court. A manorial court was held multiple times during a year and it was mandatory for all the villagers to attend or else they had to pay a
fine. All men were divided into the groups of ten known as the tithing. Each tithing was given the responsibility to make sure that no
member of their group committed a crime and if one did then other members had to make sure to bring him to the court. The person in
charge of the court was Lord’s Steward. There was a jury that consisted of twelve men chosen by the villagers. It was the jury’s
responsibility to collect evidence in order to decide whether the accused was guilty or not. And if accused was found guilty the jury had to
decide and they then decided the punishment as well.

The middle ages was a time of severe punishment and harsh torture for crimes that today would
seem trivial.  People were beheaded and limbs cut off, vagabonds were often whipped and chained in
stocks.

People lived in a state of fear thinking they would be the next victim.

Even the Catholic Church used torture and imprisonment to obtain confessions from people regardless
of whether they were guilty.

Torture and punishment has existed for thousands of years. Roman and Greek law stated that only
slaves were allowed to be tortured, eventually the laws changed and free men were tortured and
imprisoned for committing crimes.

People often had their right hand cut of for stealing, people were beaten, burned alive, stretched on a
rack and women committing adultery were drowned.

Suffocating people in water was a common practice. People were boiled in oil, eyes were burned out
with pincher's and fingers torn off. Mutilation and branding's were common place.

During Tudor times English laws was practically geared toward torture. Vagrancy was considered a
crime and people were put in stocks so towns people could beat them.

It was the poorer classes that were discriminated against. Lords and high official's were exempt.
Courts and judges did exist, but were bias and often judgements were known before the case was
even heard, if a person did not turn up to court they were considered an outlaw and their property
was seized and became the kings.
Outlaws banded together roaming the countryside and committing crime the most famous of these is
of cause Robin Hood. The harsher the crime the more horrendous the punishment, If a man
committed Rape, Manslaughter or Robbery they would be hung up in a cage so people could see their
slow death. 

On some occasions they were taken down just before their death and quartered (cut into four pieces)
so that the pain would kill them, a most cruel way to die. Public displays of torture were common.

Hangings and Public torture would be announced by the kings men, people would come from far and
wide often bring children with them, this was encouraged by rulers thinking it was a deterrent from
committing crime, bringing fear to the towns people.

Medieval towns people had a very close understanding of how punishment happened, as they were
often present during punishment. Although murderers were often executed, the majority of lesser
medieval offences were punished by shaming the criminal publicly.

By today's standards people may think this was harsh however crime was not as widespread as in
today's society.

People also took pity on those in jail and prisoners were often let out to beg for food. Medieval
officials lacked the resources or money to build suitable jails and people often died from illness before
there trial.

In today's society we do not use torture as a means of punishment, as history progressed torture
became less prolific, it was only 100 years or so ago that this was considered a barbaric practice.

In many modern countries the killing of murders and rapist's is not permitted. In some cultures the
practice of cutting off limbs for stealing is still condoned although not widely practised, people are still
executed in some societies.

Pearson HASS pp 214/15

www.historyonthe net.com/medieval-crime-punishment/

Continuity & Change Military and Defence Systems

 Medieval Knights- Roles and responsibilities

Daily Life of a Knight in the Middle Ages

The daily life of a knight in the Middle ages followed a similar schedule to that of his lord or the
noble he served. The Daily life of a Knight during the Middle ages centred around castles or
Manors or fighting for his lord and the King during times of war. Much of his time was spent on
honing his weapons skills and keeping his levels of fitness high. The daily life of knights can be
described as follows:

 The daily life of a Knight started at dawn when Mass would be heard and prayers would be
made
  The first meal of the day for the Knight was breakfast
 Knights would engage in weapons practise at the quintain and the pell
 The daily life of the Knights would include discussions on warfare strategy and increasing
his knowledge of siege warfare and weapons
 Mid morning prayers and a meal
 As the Medieval period progressed the culture changed becoming more refined and
elegant. Knights were expected to understand the rules of Chivalry and courtly love. Time
might be spent on dance practise
 In the afternoon the daily life of Knights turned to increasing their skills in horsemanship
and would accompany their lord in hunting, hawking or inspecting the estate
 Evening prayer and then supper in the Hall of the Castle or Manor House
 After supper there might be some entertainment - music, dancing, jugglers, acrobats,
jesters, etc
 Bedtime prayers

 Castles- Types of castles

 How were they used for defence?
 Siege Warfare- How was medieval warfare organised?
 How did new technologies (gun powder) change Medieval Europe?

HASS AC 8 pp 259-61
Pearson HASS pp 216/17
www.medieval-castles.net/
Clickview: Knights and Castles- Life Behind the Drawbridge

Role of Significant Individuals:

 Who they were
 Achievements in life
 Legacy/ Significance to Medieval Europe
Examples include; Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, Hildegarde of Bingen and Richard the III

Joan of Arc

Short Biography profile and facts about the life of Joan of Arc
The following biography information provides basic facts and information about the life and
history of Joan of Arc a famous Medieval character of the Middle Ages:

 Nationality: French
 Also Known by the Nickname: The Maid of Orleans and La Pucelle
 Lifespan: 1412 - 1431
  Date of Birth: Born in the village of Domremy in 1412, her exact date of birth is unknown
 Family connections : She was the daughter of Jacques d'Arc and Isabelle Romée
 Date of Death: Joan of Arc died on 30 May 1431
 Character of Joan of Arc: Highly religious, courageous and determined
 Accomplishments or why Joan of Arc was famous: Rousing the French against the English
during the Hundred Years War
 Pope Benedict XV canonized Joan of Arc on 16 May 1920

Joan of Arc
The story and biography of Joan of Arc 
which contains interesting information, facts & the history about the life of this Medieval person of
historical importance

The Childhood of Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc Lived from 1412-1431 I In the long wars between the French and English not even
the Black Prince or King Henry V gained such fame as did a young French peasant girl, Joan of
Arc. She was born in the little village of Domrémy . Her father had often told her of the sad
condition of France, how the country was largely in the possession of England, and how the
French king did not dare to be crowned. And so the thought came to be ever in her mind, "How I
pity my country!" Joan of Arc brooded over the matter so much that she began to have visions of
angels and heard strange voices, which said to her, "Joan, you can deliver the land from the
English. go to the relief of King Charles." At last these strange visions and voices made the
young girl believe that she had a mission from God, and she determined to try to save France.
When Joan of Arc told her father and mother of her purpose, they tried to persuade her that the
visions of angels and the voices telling her of the divine mission were but dreams. The village
priest, her young companions, even the governor of the town, all tried to stop her, but it was in
vain.

1429 - Joan of Arc meets King Charles VII,  the King of France, at Chinon
Little by little people began to believe in her mission. At last all stopped trying to discourage her
and some who were wealthy helped her to make the journey to the town of Chinon , where the
French king, Charles the Seventh, was living. II When Joan arrived at Chinon, a force of French
soldiers was preparing to go to the south of France to relieve the city of Orleans which the
English were besieging. King Charles received Joan kindly and listened to what she had to say
with deep attention. Joan of Arc spoke modestly, but with a calm belief that she was right.
"Gracious King," she said, "my name is Joan. God has sent me to deliver France from her
enemies. You shall shortly be crowned in the cathedral of Rheims. I am to lead the soldiers you
are about to send for the relief of Orleans. So God has directed and under my guidance victory
will be theirs." The king and his nobles talked the matter over and finally it was decided to allow
Joan of Arc to lead an army of about five thousand men against the English at Orleans.
 Joan of Arc marches to Orleans
When Joan of Arc left Chinon at the head of her soldiers, in April, 1429, she was in her
eighteenth year. Mounted on a fine war-horse and clad in white armor from head to foot, she rode
along past the cheering multitude. In one hand she carried an ancient sword that she had found
near the tomb of a saint, and in the other a white banner embroidered with lilies. The rough
soldiers who were near her left off their oaths and coarse manners, and carefully guarded her.
Joan of Arc inspired the whole army with courage and faith as she talked about her visions.
When she arrived at the besieged city of Orleans she fearlessly rode round its walls, while the
English soldiers looked on in astonishment.

Joan of Arc wins victory over the English and ends the siege at Orleans
Joan of Arc was able to enter Orleans, despite the efforts of the besiegers to prevent her. She
aroused the city by her cheerful, confident words and then led her soldiers forth to give battle to
the English. Their success was amazing. One after another the English forts were taken. When
only the strongest remained and Joan was leading the attacking force, she received a slight
wound and was carried out of the battle to be attended by a surgeon. Her soldiers began to
retreat. "Wait," she commanded, "eat and drink and rest; for as soon as I recover I will touch the
walls with my banner and you shall enter the fort." In a few minutes she mounted her horse again
and riding rapidly up to the fort, touched it with her banner. Her soldier almost instantly carried it.
The very next day the enemy's troops were forced to withdraw from before the city and the siege
was at end. The French soldiers were jubilant at the victory and called Joan the "Maid of
Orleans." By this name she is known in history.

Joan of Arc sees the King crowned at Rheims

Her fame spread everywhere, and the English as well as the French thought she had more than
human power. She led the French in several other battles, and again and again her troops were
victorious. At last the English were driven far to the north of France. Then Charles, urged by Joan
of Arc, went to Rheims with twelve thousand soldiers, and there, with splendid ceremonies, was
crowned king. Joan holding her white banner, stood near Charles during the coronation. When
the ceremony was finished, Joan of Arc knelt at his feet and said, "O King, the will of God is done
and my mission is over! Let me now go home to my parents." But the king urged her to stay a
while longer, as France was not entirely freed from the English. Joan of Arc consented, but she
said, "I hear the heavenly voices no more and I am afraid."

Joan of Arc is captured

However she took part in an attack upon the army of the Duke of Burgundy, but was taken
prisoner by him. For a large sum of money the duke delivered her into the hands of the English,
who put her in prison in Rouen.

Joan of Arc is charged with Sorcery and brought to trial

She lay in prison for a year, and finally was charged with sorcery and brought to trial. It was said
that she was under the influence of the Evil One. She declared to her judges her innocence of the
charge and said, "God has always been my guide in all that I have done. The devil has never had
power over me." Her trial was long and tiresome. At its close she was doomed to be burned at
the stake.

Joan of Arc is burnt at the Stake

In the market-place at Rouen the English soldiers fastened her to a stake surrounded by a great
pile of fagots. A soldier put into her hands a rough cross, which he had made from a stick that he
held. She thanked him and pressed it
to her bosom. Then a priest, standing near the stake, read to her the prayers for the dying, and
another mounted the fagots and held towards her a crucifix, which she clasped with both hands
and kissed. When the cruel flames burst out around her, the noble girl uttered the word "Jesus,"
and expired

Pearson HASS pp 222/3

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