The Immortal Gazette: Joan of Arc – The Maid of Heaven and Her Battle Strategies
Alice’s quill danced across the parchment, her voice smooth and confident as she began another tale. “Ah, Joan of Arc - the Maid of Orleans - one of the most remarkable figures in medieval history. Born in 1412, Joan was a peasant girl who believed she was chosen by God to lead the French army during the Hundred Years' War. At just 16, she convinced Charles VII, the Dauphin of France, that she was divinely inspired to help him reclaim his kingdom from the English.”
Rumplestiltskin grinned, leaning back in his chair. “A teenage girl, with a mission from God? Now that’s something you don’t see every day.”
Alice shot him a playful look. “Indeed, Rumple. But it wasn’t just divine visions that led Joan to victory. She was a brilliant strategist in her own right. Her first big success came when she lifted the siege of Orleans in 1429, a critical moment in the war. Joan rallied the French troops, breaking the English siege and lifting their morale to new heights. Her presence was enough to inspire the soldiers to fight with newfound courage. It wasn’t just her swordsmanship or tactical skills - it was her belief and unyielding confidence that turned the tide.”
Rumplestiltskin leaned in, intrigued. “So, her secret weapon was her faith, and an ability to make the soldiers believe in the impossible?”
“Exactly,” Alice continued. “Joan had the ability to unify and motivate her troops like no one else. She was like a living embodiment of hope. The soldiers believed in her because she believed in them. That, combined with her direct, hands-on approach in battle, made her a force to be reckoned with.”
Loki raised an eyebrow, swirling his mug. “I’m all for ‘belief,’ but how did she pull off these victories? Seems a bit too magical for my taste.”
Alice chuckled, adjusting the tip of her quill. “Well, Joan didn’t win through magic, Loki, though her impact did feel otherworldly. She used a blend of traditional tactics and innovative approaches - like rallying her troops with speeches that stirred their souls, positioning her army for surprise attacks, and even taking risks others wouldn’t. She didn’t have the traditional training of a knight or a general, but her natural charisma and unshakable faith gave her an edge.”
Rumplestiltskin’s eyes sparkled. “Charisma, huh? Interesting. You know, if I were Joan, I would have amplified that whole morale-boosting thing to the next level. Imagine the power of a few well-timed speeches, mixed with a dash of flamboyance.”
Alice raised an eyebrow. “Flamboyance? How so?”
“Well,” Rumplestiltskin began, with his signature mischievous grin, “instead of just telling my troops to fight for France, I’d make grand proclamations about how we were fighting for immortality, for legend - that everyone in the army would be remembered forever. Imagine telling them that after the battle, their names would be sung in the taverns and their stories told for centuries to come. What soldier wouldn’t want that kind of fame?”
Loki snorted. “Great, so now she’s a motivational speaker and a bard?”
Rumplestiltskin’s grin widened. “Absolutely! But that’s not all. Think about this: I’d use propaganda - and I’m talking the good kind. Picture banners and flags with sweeping declarations like ‘For the Glory of Heaven and France!’ on one side, and ‘The Maid’s Army Will Not Fall!’ on the other. A little bit of visual flair goes a long way, don’t you think?”
Alice smiled at the thought. “It’s true. A unified visual message can make a huge difference. It boosts morale and shows the enemy that your side is organized, strong, and - most importantly - confident.”
“Oh, but we’re just getting started,” Rumplestiltskin continued, leaning in, his eyes gleaming. “I’d also create some public spectacles before every battle - something that got the soldiers pumped. Perhaps a nightly ‘torch-lit march’ through the camp, with Joan at the front, holding a sword aloft, leading the way. Imagine the roar of the troops as they followed her through the darkened camp, all fired up for battle the next morning. That kind of rallying cry would get the blood flowing.”
Loki raised his mug in mock approval. “Ah yes, nothing like a dramatic entrance and some pyrotechnics to get people riled up. Very theatrical, Rumple.”
“I do have a flair for the dramatic,” Rumplestiltskin said, grinning. “But I’d go further. I’d ensure Joan had a legend built around her—not just in her own time, but something she could leave behind for posterity. Think about it: creating songs, stories, and even prophetic sayings about her victories. She’d become not just a military leader, but a symbol of hope, courage, and victory. A myth in the making.”
Alice nodded thoughtfully. “That could have worked. Propaganda through the ages has always been about crafting a story, giving people something to believe in. Joan of Arc had the spirit to inspire; with just a bit of strategic storytelling, her legend could have grown even more.”
Rumplestiltskin nodded sagely. “Exactly. It’s not just about winning battles; it’s about winning hearts and minds. And Joan was the perfect person to make that happen. She didn’t just fight for France - she fought for a cause, something greater than herself.”
Loki raised an eyebrow. “Propaganda, legends, and a bit of flair. Maybe that’s how you win wars, after all.”
Alice smiled at the thought. “Well, we know one thing for sure - Joan of Arc didn’t just change the course of a war; she became a symbol of courage and strength that has lasted for centuries. Perhaps, with a touch of theatricality and strategic propaganda, her impact could have been even more immortal.”
And with that, the trio leaned back, sipping their drinks and contemplating the power of a legend - and the art of building one.
Alice paused, looking over her quill as she smiled thoughtfully. “Now, for those who might not know, Joan of Arc wasn’t just a divine figure; she was a woman of remarkable spirit and strength. Born in 1412 in Domrémy, a small village in northeastern France, Joan was a peasant by birth. Her hair was said to be dark, her eyes intense, and she had a youthful, almost ethereal quality - something that seemed to captivate those around her.”
Rumplestiltskin raised an eyebrow. “So, she had the whole ‘mystic beauty’ vibe going on, huh?”
Alice nodded. “Indeed. And she wasn’t just some fragile figure, either. Joan was 5'2", hardly an imposing size in a field of towering knights, but her presence was far more imposing than mere height. It was her confidence and the force of her faith that drew people to her. People believed she was chosen by God for her mission, and her strength of conviction was contagious. The French, desperate for a hero, rallied around her, and she gave them hope in ways no one else could.”
Loki smirked. “A pint-sized powerhouse, huh? With the confidence of a giant, I suppose.”
Alice’s eyes gleamed as she leaned in. “Exactly. And as for her nationality - well, Joan was very French, born and raised in the heart of the Hundred Years' War. Her mission was all about saving her country from the English, who had claimed much of France. What was at stake was more than just a battle - it was the soul of France itself. Joan knew this, and she carried it like a banner wherever she went.”
Rumplestiltskin took a long sip from his cup. “Hmm, sounds like she had everything - a heart full of fire, a cause to fight for, and the charisma to make people believe in the impossible. Not bad for a peasant girl.”
Alice chuckled. “Not bad at all. But it’s also worth noting that Joan wasn’t just following divine visions. She was tactical, strategic, and smart. Her military approach combined boldness with practical methods that helped turn the tide of the war.”
Loki raised a glass. “Now that is something I can get behind. Boldness with brains.”
Alice nodded, before finishing, “And despite the ultimate tragedy of her life - her capture and execution at the age of 19 - Joan’s legacy endures. She became a symbol of courage, and in 1920, was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.”
➡ Additional Clarification for Joan’s Capture and Execution:
When Alice references Joan’s capture and tragic execution at age 19, there’s a lot of emotional weight missing. It’s crucial that the readers feel the full weight of her downfall and the political intrigue behind her trial.
Expand on her capture:
Joan’s capture happened in 1430 at Compiègne, where she was betrayed by the French who had been under pressure from the English. She was captured during a siege and handed over to the English. This betrayal marked a turning point in her journey, as she was no longer the symbol of hope she had been, but now a prisoner, sold to the enemy. Her trial was politically motivated, and it was clear she was not tried for witchcraft or heresy based on real evidence, but because she threatened the English war effort. They needed her gone.
Execution:
She was executed by burning at the stake in 1431. Her death was horrific, but it became a symbol of martyrdom and ultimate sacrifice, fueling her mythos and solidifying her place in history.
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