Joan of Arc (Jeanne d' Arc)

Joan of Arc

I think she is the most mysterious girl in world history and that is because her popularity. Some people even say she did not exist. That does not seem to be true because some record showed her existence clearly. But we cannot still understand who was Joan and what she did really. Is she a witch or a saint? Is she just a normal girl super woman who had a big connection, or a mad?

Joan was born at the village, Domrémy (ドンレミ) in 1412. She was a pious country girl. In 1425, she heard the “voice” for the first time. She believed and followed the voice. She met Charles VII and encouraged him. In 1429, she went to Orléans and raised the siege of Orléans. She joined many battles and led to victories of French army. However, she was defeated in Compiègne (コンピエーニュ) and was taken prisoner. She was considered to be a heretic (異端者) in Rouen (ルーアン), and she was burned at the stake then. Later Charles tried a person again and Joan became a saint, not a heretic.

Charles and Joan have some interesting story. Many people think their truth. I introduced their simple profile, so next time I will tell you some studies about them.

Charles VII

Charles VII

Because of Treaty of Troyes, Prince Charles could not become a French king at first. The English king Henry VI, who was still a baby, became a French king in 1422. Charles resisted him and became a French king, too. But France had grown very weak. The peerage separated into two groups, Bourguignons (ブルゴーニュ派) and Armagnacs (アルマニャック派), during the reign of King Charles VI, who is the father of Charles VII. Armagnacs supported Charles VII, but Bourguignons supported England. England surrounded Orléans (オルレアン) in 1429, which is the final foothold of Charles VII. He was in a real pinch at the moment.

It was then that Joan of Arc appeared on the stage. She encouraged Charles VII and raised the siege of Orléans. Thanks to her, Charles VII was able to became an official French king in Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims (ノートルダム大聖堂) at Reims (ランス). After Joan was killed, he and Bourguignons were reconciled. In 1453, he recaptured almost all areas of France except for the city Calais (カレー市). At this time, the Hundred Years’ War ended.

Famous people in France

Famous people in France

Today I introduce four kings. I think that many people know King Charles VII and Joan of Arc/ Jeanne d’ Arc, so I will introduce them next time in detail.

Philip VI de Valois

He is the first French king from Valois dynasty. The French king Charles VI died, so he succeeded to the throne. The English king Edward III also demanded the throne because his mother was Charles’ sister. Philip refused his demand, and then Hundred Years’ War started. The French army suffered a crushing defeat in the battle of Sluys and battle of Poitiers. In his reign, France suffered hunger or the plague which is called the Black Death.

John II ‘the Good’

He is the son of Philip VI. He tried to drive the English army out of the France. However, on the contrary, he was defeated in the battle of Crécy and fell into enemy hands. His son the Prince Charles (Charles V in the future) tried to save him, but before he came back to his native place he died in England.

King Charles V ‘the Wise’

In his reign, France recovered its strength temporarily. He dealt effectively with the problem with Étienne Marcel or Jacquerie (the big rebellion by peasants). He concluded Treaty of Bretigny with England, which is a humiliating concession. But he tried to make many reforms, especially drastic reforms. He gave a French great commander, Bertrand du Guesclin, an important post and made him fight against English army and so on. Finally, he was successful and England was almost defeated.

King Charles VI ‘the Well-Beloved or the Mad’

At first he governed well, but in 1392 he went mad. The French peerage used his illness and had their own way. They separated into two groups, Bourguignons and Armagnacs. Moreover, he was defeated in Azincourt. France had to conclude the Treaty of Troys. Because of this treaty, England usurped the throne of France.

*Pictures are from Wikipedia.

Famous battles

Famous battles

Hundred Years’ War is a series of separate wars. It has many small battles. There are too many battles to introduce all. I chose some battles which I thought were famous.

 

Battle of Crecy (1346)

In this battle, the England army (about 12,000 people) led by Edward III defeated the France army (about 30,000~40,000 people) led by Philip VI. The England army was more than twice smaller than the French army. However, English soldiers especially who had long bows played an active part. They surpassed French soldiers who had crossbows. They were trained and could handle long bows very well. I’ll tell you the arms another time. By the way, some historians say that this battle is the beginning of the end of chivality. The battlefield serves as a sightseeing spot now.

 

Battle of Poitiers (1356)

Edward the Black, who is one of the sons of Edward III, was the leading part of this battle. Although the English army was clearly inferior to the French army, the French army made the same mistake as a battle of Crecy and was defeated completely again. Jean II became a prisoner of war of England and was taken to London. In this battle, the English long bow soldiers made a great contribution to the victory, too. They continued playing an important part in this war later.

Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc)

In Japan, she is very popular. I could not find famous battles of the Hundred Years’ War besides Battle of Crecy or Battle of Poitiers, but could find some battles which she entered. Her most famous battle was fought in Orleans. The English army almost captured the city then. It is said that when she arrived there French soldiers recovered their spirits and defeated the English army. This battle is very mysterious. Why the French army defeated the English army? The answer is still unclear. What Joan did? I also could not answer the question, but imagine what happened. I’ll tell you about her next.

Why HundredYears' War started?

Why Hundred Years’ War started?

In Japan, it is generally said that the succession-to-the-throne problem of France caused Hundred Years’ War. Some people say that Flandre problems or Guyenne problems caused it. But it does not have enough factors. Today I’ll tell you an interesting opinion of its main factor. I referred to Mr. Kido’s commentary. His book, Hyakunensensou –tyuseimakki no eifutu kankei-, was very helpful. The war is source of very complicated relations between England and France.

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In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, became an English king. As Duke of Normandy, he remained a vassal of the French King, and was required to swear fealty for his lands in France. From this time, English kings had to continue the relationship. They sometimes fought against French kings and tried to be equal footing with them.

In 1259, a treaty was concluded.  It settled disputes between them. That is because then the English king is from Anjou, which is one of the French counts. Anjou has very big lands in the southwest part of France. Both countries thought the lands were their territory, so it is necessary to decide it.

But the treaty had some problems. First, their territories were not clear. Second, Anjou had to make its vassals help French kings, when English kings fought with them. It was impossible. Third, the English king swore fealty to the French king clearly again. English kings detested doing so after that. However, French king was angry that English kings did not swear fealty.

It is this treaty that is the main factor of the war. The problems made both countries angry with the other. When they cannot put up with them any longer, French king changed at just the right moment.

What is Hundred Years' War?

Hello, everyone. I like world history very much. If you read my writing and become interested in it, I’ll feel very happy.

What is Hundred Years’ War? It is a war between England and France in the late Middle Ages.

There are many causes why it started. Many people think that the succession-to-the-throne problem of France is the main cause. I’ll write about the causes in next blog in detail.

It became dramatic development. At first, the British army was superior to the French army. Then the Black Death was prevalent and the peasants rose in revolt frequently.
Moreover France became the most battlefields, so wild confusion happened all over the country. Finally, however, France won a victory.

After the war, the feudal lord and knight class declined, farmers were released, and the bourgeoisie developed. These events urged to centralization by a king. It was waged from 1337 to 1453. (There are various views when it started or when it ended. This is the most popular term.) Over hundred years, England and France fought. They sometimes made agreement, but when few years passed they fought again. People in those days did not call the war such a name. Posterity thought this period had big meanings and a series of separate wars were gathered together.

The above is a rough explanation of Hundred Years’ War. Do you understand what it is?

I’ll tell you many things about it in more detail. Thank you for reading.

source:Wikipedia