‘You ask what is my most earnest and sincere goal?

‘Tis to have the Duke of York’s severed head placed high upon a pole!’

Then upon his traitorous head we will place a paper crown!

Thus having been duly crowned, he will wear no smile, but instead a deadly frown!’

 

So sayeth Margaret of Anjou, Queen of England.

Queen Margaret of England

 

The Queen did not have to wait long for her revenge on the Duke of York.

Round 4: The Battle of Wakefield, December 30th, 1460.

A Lancastrian army engaged the Duke of York at Wakefield in Yorkshire. The battle was keenly watched by the Queen and her son, Edward. The Yorkists were defeated.

Result: A major Lancastrian victory.

The Queen and Prince Edward watch the battle.

‘Of this battle dear son, you are the most interested spectator!

See how victory and justice has come to us sooner, rather than later!’

Learning of her victory, and that York had been killed, the Queen could hardly contain her delight. Of course this was royal business, but it was also personal, very personal. She now issued her instructions:

‘From Richard of York’s lifeless body, his traitorous head, you must tear!

He has long sought England’s jewelled crown, but now it is a paper one that he will wear!’

The Queen was granted her greatest wish. Richard, Duke of York’s corpse, was  beheaded and then mounted high on a pole. Upon his severed head, Lancastrian soldiers, as they had been ordered, placed a paper crown.

Round 5: The second Battle of St Albans February 17th, 1461.

Margaret, greatly heartened by her victory at Wakefield and the death of York, marched south with a view to taking London. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, rode out of the capital with a Yorkist army to engage Margaret.

Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.

Warwick decided to take the captive Henry VI with him. Perhaps he thought that when Margaret realised that her husband, the king, was actually in the Yorkist camp she would lose heart and beat a hasty retreat.

‘When Queen Margaret learns that we have the king here in tow!

She will become distressed, and with her forces, retreat and northwards go!’

If this is what Warwick was thinking, he was badly mistaken. When the two armies met at St Albans on February 17th, Margaret urged her Lancastrian army forward with gusto.

The Second Battle of St Albans.

Inflicting heavy casualties upon the Yorkists, the Lancastrians drove the enemy from the field. The king was found nearby, sitting under a tree and singing to himself.

‘The king was found under a tree, singing softly as he sat!

As for the savage sights and sounds of the battle, not an eyelid did he bat!’

Result: A Lancastrian victory.

Margaret had removed the obstacle preventing her from reaching London. With Henry at her side, the Queen smiling broadly, rode up to the city gates.

‘Oh! Oh! The joy of once again, seeing London town!

But soon Margaret’s smile turned into a frown!

However, the Londoners had heard bloodcurdling stories of the rapacious conduct of the Lancastrian soldiers and refused to open the gates to them. The Queen had no choice but to turn and ride northwards. Margaret was later to learn that when another of royal blood approached the gates of London, he was accorded a most warm welcome.

‘Queen Margaret, you may have rid yourself of one Duke of York!

But he had a son, Edward, who with great fanfare, through London’s gates would walk!’

 

‘He was York’s favourite son, was Duke Dick!

Now it looked like he was becoming the national pick!’

However, York had a formidable adversary in the Queen, Margaret of Anjou. She was convinced that York was planning to secure the throne for himself. This was something that Queen Margaret would oppose with every fibre of her being. The Queen was determined that her infant son, Prince Edward would succeed his father, the emotionally fragile Henry VI.

Margaret of Anjou.

‘My son, the Prince Edward will inherit his father’s regal role!

To this noble endeavour, I hereby pledge my heart and soul!’

As a precaution Queen Margaret persuaded Henry to move the court from London, which was Yorkist in its sympathies, to Coventry, which was close to the Lancastrian heartlands. For all practical purposes the Queen was the reigning sovereign as Henry’s mental state continued to deteriorate. In March 1458, a Mass of reconciliation between the Lancastrians and Yorkists was held at St Pauls Cathedral in London. It was entitled a ‘loveday’, and characteristically, it was the idea of the king.

Henry VI, present in body, but barely in mind, presides over what remains of his court.

As both factions entered the Cathedral, they were led by the Queen and the Duke of York who proceeded hand in hand. However, this mood of love and reconciliation was not to endure.

‘Queen Margaret and Richard of York walked into the House of God holding hands!

Despite the smiles of all those present, rancour ran rife amongst their respective loyal bands!’

Conflict was not long in coming.  The Queen had been preparing for war for quite some time. There followed a series of battles, beginning with the Battle of Blore Heath at Market Drayton, Shropshire in September 1459.

Round 2: The battle of Blore Heath, September 23rd 1459.

The Battle of Blore Heath.

Result: A Yorkist victory.

 

 Round 3: The Battle of Ludlow Bridge, October 12th 1459.

The Lancastrians were not long in making the score even at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, also in Shropshire the following month.

The Battle of Ludlow Bridge.

 

Result: A Lancastrian victory.

 

Round 3: The Battle of Northampton, July 10th 1460. 

This was a most humiliating defeat for the House of Lancaster, King Henry was taken captive. This relatively small scale military engagement had important consequences and York intended to press his advantage.

 

Result: A major Yorkist victory.

The king’s mental health meant that he could no longer function effectively and York demanded that he become the monarch in Henry’s place.

‘Tis clear that the king has lost all sense of reason!

I will be your king for this, and every one of, the four seasons!’

This was too much for the House of Lords as Henry, whatever his mental state, was still the anointed king. It was agreed that York would become king in the event of Henry’s abdication or death.

This of course meant that Henry’s own son, Edward the Prince of Wales had been disinherited. Queen Margaret’ fury knew no limits, her hatred of York reaching boiling point. Having once taken York’s hand in friendship, she now set about seeking his head in order to it place upon a pole.

 

 

 

‘At the king’s lamentable performance as monarch, the whole of England did frown!

With most of England’s French possessions lost, Henry suffered an enormous physical and mental breakdown!’

Although Cade’s rebellion had been put down and the leaders executed, further trouble was on its way. By the summer of 1453, all of England’s French lands, save Calais, had been lost. The news struck Henry in the manner of a thunderbolt, and left him an emotional and mental wreck. But, there were glad tidings that autumn as the Queen was delivered of a baby boy and thus a royal heir, named Edward. However, the king was in a terrible condition and a worried parliament appointed Richard, Duke of York as regent to rule in the king’s name. This would be York’s first protectorate.

‘Richard, Duke of York!

You are the man, who can walk the walk!

And spout the regal, royal talk!’

 

Richard, the third Duke of York.

The King recovers!

Come Christmas 1453, Henry had recovered his emotional and mental composure, thus ending York’s protectorate. York was now out of the power loop. The king now placed his trust in Edmund Beaufort 2nd Duke of Somerset. York was enraged at his banishment from court and Somerset’s elevation to the inner circle.

‘Richard, Duke of York was furious at his dismissal from power at court!

He concentrated his fury at the 2nd Duke of Somerset, Edmund Beaufort!’

The Duke of Somerset banishes Richard of York from the king’s presence.

The Duke of York and the Duke of Somerset were bitter enemies, and this enmity would precipitate the dreadful conflict known as the Wars of the Roses. England’s nobility now split into two factions. Those who supported the Duke of York were known as Yorkists and the supporters of the Duke of Somerset were referred to as Lancastrians.

The of the Roses, the Red Rose of Lancaster and the White Rose of York had begun.

Round 1 The Battle of St Albans – The opening salvo of the Wars of the Roses.

In May 1455, a great Council was to be held at Leicester led by the king, with Somerset at his side. Sensing danger at what he perceived as Somerset’s scheming, York decided to intercept the royal party en-route at St Albans. He wished to detach the Duke of Somerset from the king with a view to restoring himself to his former position.

Of course, detaching the Duke from the side of King Henry meant the detachment of Somerset’s head from his body, something that the king would not agree to. It was this disagreement that led to the first armed conflict of the long running military saga known as the War of the Roses.

At St Albans on May 22nd, York’s forces, and those of the king clashed at St Albans.

Result : A Yorkist victory.

The skirmish in which a mere 75 men were killed, was a decisive victory for the Yorkists. Somerset was killed and the king, who had taken refuge in a tanner’s cottage, was now effectively in Yorkist custody. Richard of York was jubilant as he escorted King Henry VI back to London.

‘The sun on Somerset’s ambitions of power, at St Albans had indeed set!

Many considered that rule by Richard of York was now the surest bet!’

As he journeyed south, the Duke of York considered himself solidly back on the path to power.

Henry VI

It was 1437 and Henry had decided, at the age of fifteen, to take the reins of royal power. He was still smarting at his mother’s incredibly unwise dalliance with Owen Tudor.

‘Oh Queen Catherine, my most dearest mama!

Your antics with Owen Tudor caused the entire realm to laugh, and cry ha-ha!

Dear mother, I shall miss you greatly, although I am now almost a man grown!

But I could not bear to have that ghastly Welshman, Tudor anywhere near me whilst I sit on my throne!’

However, his mother was dead, and weighty matters awaited the young king’s attention. The situation in France had deteriorated with Charles VII having taken Paris in 1436 and Normandy falling increasingly under threat. Henry, who resembled his military orientated father Henry V in no way whatsoever, was inclined to favour a peaceful resolution of the French question. Old king Hal must have been turning in his tomb!

Henry V

‘Dad, to give us both our rightful due!

You ain’t me and I ain’t you!’

The king was a pious soul, preoccupied with learning, so he established a number of educational institutions such as Eton. He was horrified at the news of bloodshed in France and wanted it ended. He took the view that the time was right for peace and a truce was arranged with Charles VII in 1444. As part of the deal, Henry was to marry Margaret of Anjou, the King of France’s niece.

The marriage of King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou.

‘The way to stop the war in France and get a piece of much needed peace!

Is to marry pretty Margaret of Anjou, the French king’s niece!’

Oh well, why not, the king was an age at which to marry. The marriage took place in the spring of 1445, Margaret was 15 and Henry, 23. Margaret was a forceful, somewhat devious character, the polar opposite of her new husband.

‘King Henry, one of the gentlest creatures ever to the throne, born!

Queen Margaret possessed talons as sharp as any thorn!

This was a happy time as the king’s subjects welcomed the union and the prospect of an heir to the throne. It also appeared that peace with France had now been finalised.

The situation in France goes from bad to worse.

However, the pleasant interlude was to be brief, as storm clouds were gathering on the horizon. The English people were really quite disturbed that part of the peace treaty involved England ceding Maine to the French. What was this? The big give away?  Pretty soon much of Normandy was overrun by the French and by 1451 they had grabbed Gascony as well!

‘Bringing it all back home!

In Kent, did trouble quickly grow and greatly roam!’

The Kentish economy depended largely on its maritime commerce. However, this had been adversely affected by the situation in France. Also French marauders, without the English navy to stop them, were now attacking England’s southern coastline and causing havoc. This, combined with high taxation and accusations of corruption at court, confirmed in many minds that the country was without an effective government. This was the cause of an uprising beginning in Kent which would be known as Cade’s Rebellion. Henry was fast losing control!

‘The rebels of Kent were led by an Irishman, one Jack Cade!

They entered London and much destruction and slaughter was made!’

When the rebels marched to London and ransacked the city in June, Henry fled the city and sought sanctuary in the midlands.

‘As the rebels advanced on the city, the king ran away!

Leaving the people of London to stand alone and save the day!

Eventually the rebellion was defeated, but the king had played no part in reasserting royal authority. The people had expected leadership in the hour of crisis, but Henry had shown them only fear and abject cowardice.

 

 

 

King Henry VI of England looking every inch the mild mannered simpleton that he was.

When Joan of Arc was executed at Rouen in May 1431, Henry VI was but nine years of age. The Maid might be gone, but the prospect of a France ruled by the English crown was very far from becoming a reality. In 1435, England’s great allies the Burgundians, withdrew from the alliance when Duke Philip of Burgundy decided to back King Charles VII of France. It was a hefty blow and one that Henry took very personally. The 13 year old monarch wept uncontrollably when he heard the news and this betrayal haunted him for the rest of his life.

‘Oh dear Duke Philip, your betrayal of me is one so dreadfully cruel!

I trusted you as a faithful friend and now I feel such a wretched fool!’

Henry’s father, the illustrious warrior Henry V, had charged his three brothers with the care of the young king. However, in 1437 aged fifteen, Henry decided that he was able to make his own decisions. His mother, Catherine of Valois had died in January and a royal scandal was uncovered.

The dreadful scandal of Queen Catherine and Owen Tudor.

Henry’s mother, Catherine of Valois had scandalised the nation when it was discovered that she was having an affair with a lowly born Welsh commander, Owen Tudor.

‘Who ever heard of a Queen taking a common soldier to her bed!

The king’s mother has taken leave of her senses, she has clearly lost her head!’

Owen Tudor

For someone of regal birth to become romantically involved with a person so beneath their own social station, was a terrible scandal. The young king would flush with embarrassment whenever anyone mentioned the Queen or her lover.

‘Queen  Catherine had granted her affections to a Welsh soldier of low birth!

To the royal family it was a source of  great shame, to others, a cause for sniggering mirth!’

Catherine was the widow of the great Henry V. What was she thinking of by becoming entangled with this Welshman of base birth? Owen and the Queen had four children together. The Duke of Gloucester was outraged and he had Tudor jailed, while Catherine was to be enclosed in a religious house. Obviously, the young king must have been greatly embarrassed by the sordid episode, but the matter abated when Catherine died early in 1437 at an abbey in Bermondsey.

Bermondsey Abbey,

With the Burgundians having deserted the English cause in France and his mother’s outrageous behaviour with Owen Tudor, Henry’s rule had not had an auspicious beginning. Would things improve?

The 23rd of May 1430 saw the end of Joan’s illustrious military career.

‘At Compiegne in the heat of battle, Joan was thrown from her saddle!

Captured by the Burgundians, was she now up the creek without a paddle?

Joan was now the prisoner of the commander of the forces, Jean de Luxembourg.  At this point Joan, who considered herself to be a soldier, expected to be ransomed and returned to the service of King Charles VII. Nevertheless, she made a number of unsuccessful attempts to escape.

‘Now in captivity, Joan expected to be freed after the payment of a ransom!

Of course, the price for the return of such a prize, would be a sum most handsome!’

However, this was not to be. The English were determined to lay their hands on the Maid. Joan was indeed ransomed, but not back to the loyal people of France! In November the Burgundians sold Joan to the English for 10,000 livres.

‘Blood money! English money for Joan’s flesh and blood!

The tears of  the loyal French poured down their cheeks in a flood!’

The Maid was transported to Rouen for trial on many charges, including murder and dressing as a man.

‘But what was the attitude of Charles VII, the king?

In his mind, did not a multitude of alarm bells ring?’

Clearly, the king was greatly disturbed but what could he do? Charles knew full well that the English would never hand Joan back no matter what ransom they were offered. She had humiliated them on the field of battle and for that she had to die. Joan was to be tried by the Church and the presiding judge was to be Pierre Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais.

The trial of Joan of Arc.

Her trial began on February 21st 1431 in Rouen. The charges against her consisted of: blasphemy, claiming to be able to tell the future, holding the belief that she had already been assured of salvation and wearing men’s clothing. Her claims that she had received commands directly from God were of particular concern to the judges.

Bishop Cauchon presiding at the trial of Joan of Arc.

The judges urged Joan to renounce her assertions about receiving orders from God, and repent her actions. This Joan refused to do, and weeks went by. On May 23rd 1431, the court handed down its verdict. The next day, Joan was taken to the cemetery of the abbey of Saint-Ouen  to hear her sentence pronounced in the presence of the general public. That sentence was to be death by fire. However, if she were to recant her assertions regarding voices, she would be spared the agonies of the stake.

‘You will escape death by fire, if you say that you never actually heard the mysterious heavenly voices!

Imprisoned for life and branded a blasphemous liar, but allowed to live! Boy, don’t you get some damn horrible choices!’

At the last moment, Joan changed her mind and declared that she would submit to Mother Church. She announced that she renounced her previous statements regarding her visions and voices. She swore that never again would she don the garb of a man and promised to dress as a woman should. As a consequence of this confession she was spared the stake and was sentenced to life imprisonment. The populace were furious, they wished to see this witch put to death at the stake. Their howls of indignation raised the roofs of the city of Rouen. Joan was taken back to her cell to begin her life of perpetual imprisonment.

‘But back in the solitude of her prison cell, Joan decided to disown her recantation!

She now announced to Cauchon that her confession at Saint-Ouen was an aberration!’

On May 29th she was visited by Cauchon in her cell. He saw that she was attired in male clothing, and he expressed his displeasure that she had broken her promise. Thus, Joan now pronounced a death sentence on herself. There was to be no turning back from death by fire. Her only path forward was the one that led to the stake, the funeral pyre.

‘Facing a life which offered nothing but a situation so dreadfully dire!

Joan opted for an immediate death atop a prepared pyre!’

The call of the executioner.

‘A crude cap was placed upon her condemned head!

The inscription, a tissue of lies which read!

 Idolater and heretic!

These words would make every decent Christian sick!’ 

On the morning of May 30th, Joan was led from her cell in the castle and placed on a cart and transported to the market place of Rouen. Upon her head was a cap bearing the inscriptions ‘idolater” and ‘heretic’ The crowds lining the streets were immense. She was accompanied by a friar, Brother Martin, who had heard her confession and from whom she had received holy communion. Joan was then tied to the stake, clutching a crucifix that she had been given. The executioner lit the pyre and the flames roared high. Very soon Joan, the Maid of Orleans was dead.

 

Charles VII is crowned at Reims.

‘Oh  for the French, 1429, what a glorious summer!

As for the English, well, they never felt dumber!

Orleans! Oh Orleans! What a victory, the French did gush!

And well they might,  for there, they gave the English army, the bum’s rush!’

Target Paris!

Despite the celebrations surrounding the coronation, there was little time for relaxation. Joan was incensed that the capital of her beloved country was held by the hated Burgundians, who were allies of the English. Yes, Duke Philip of Burgundy and his confederates controlled Paris.

‘You filthy, hyper- active English-loving Burgundian dogs!

Very soon you will be as lifeless as cut down wooden logs!’

Joan resolved to take the city from these odious traitors.

Philip, Duke of Burgundy.

In August, 1429, Joan made her way to Paris, capturing a number of towns on the way. She had said that she would take Paris, but the city was defended by huge impenetrable walls that towered high into the sky. Joan boldly strode towards the battlements, her standard held aloft as she did so. The Maid fearlessly called out to the Parisians to immediately surrender their city to Charles VII.

‘Oh, people of Paris, break free from the lethal Burgundian infection!

Give Duke Philip a taste of a rightful, patriotic Parisian insurrection!’

Joan directs her troops at the siege of Paris.

However, her cries were met with a volley of arrows, one of which pierced her thigh. In great pain, but undeterred, Joan continued to shout encouragement to her troops as she was carried to a tent for treatment. Joan certainly had the heart to continue the fight, but not so King Charles VII. Much to Joan’s disgust, he ordered his forces to retreat from Paris on September 9th. A furious Joan could do no other than fume and utter her displeasure under her breath.

‘Oh, what shame to leave our beloved city of Paris in the hands of the Burgundians, the false French!

Every single one of these English-loving wretched Burgundian dogs gives off a foul, traitorous stench!

In October, Charles allowed Joan to take part in the successful siege of Saint-Pierre-le-Moutier. Joan wintered with the king in the Loire region in a state of relative relaxation. However, the early months of 1430 saw the Duke of Burgundy on the prowl once more. His forces had besieged the town of Compiegne.

‘The ignoble Duke of Burgundy was again on the prowl!

The loyal people of Compiegne felt threatened by the sound of his odious growl!’

The spring saw Joan advancing to the aid of the people of Compiegne. Her plan was to repeat her success at Orleans. On May 23rd she engaged the Burgundians, but luck was not with her. In the heat of battle she was thrown from her horse and captured by the Burgundians.

Joan is captured by the Burgundians at Compiegne.

‘Of all their battlefield captures!

This one sent the Burgundians into ecstatic raptures!’

When he heard of Joan’s capture, Duke Philip sped at haste to view his coveted prize. What was now to become of the Maid of Orleans?

 

 

‘ But how to save France from English aggression!

Oh, how to ensure the Dauphin’s right to regal succession!’

In January 1429, Jeanne travelled to the town of Vaucouleurs and asked the garrison commander to allow her to visit the Dauphin at Chinon. The commander was astounded at her audacity to say the least, and sent her away. However, she told the commander that the French had suffered a defeat close to Orleans before the news had been reported. He mocked her boldness in disbelief. He later learned that this was in fact the case. How could she possibly have known this?

The battle of Rouvray.

Jeanne claimed that her prediction came through a divine communication whilst she was tending her animals, so the commander duly arranged for Jeanne to travel to Chinon to see the Dauphin.

‘What would the Dauphin make of the maid who promised him victory over the English in battle!

For so many years with their actions did the English cause French nerves to rattle!

Would he listen to her, or dismiss her rhetoric as mere, demented tittle tattle?

The Dauphin, Charles.

Goodness knows, this was an age of visionaries, many of whom were proved to be charlatans or lunatics. Would the girl from Domremy be any different? In this case yes! Jeanne made a great first impression upon the Dauphin, by identifying him when he was in disguise amongst his courtiers.

‘The Dauphin hoped to give Jeanne a little surprise!

On their first encounter, he appeared in front of her in disguise!’

The Dauphin was in low spirits and was convinced that the fall of Orleans was simply a matter of time. Perhaps it was just sheer desperation which prompted him to give Jeanne an audience. Jeanne told the Dauphin that she would be able to defeat the English and lift the siege of Orleans. She also confidently predicted that he would soon be crowned in Reims Cathedral, the traditional coronation location of French kings.

‘My mission is to defeat the English and preserve the French nation!

As such, I will ensure that you are able to travel to Reims for your solemn coronation!’

The Dauphin and his advisers insisted that Jeanne be questioned by theologians, and eventually the Dauphin took the view that she was probably genuine. In April, 1429 Jeanne was en-route to Orleans at the head of an army, carrying her banner upon which was an image of Christ. In early May, she engaged the English and they quickly took flight on May 8th. The long siege of Orleans was over. It was an important victory and boosted French morale when it had been at its lowest.

Jeanne rode around the city to the rapturous applause of its citizens. These people had suffered terrible hardships during the six month siege. Many had given up hope, and now having been delivered from their foe, they were delirious with relief. They would eat, drink and be merry again.

The aftermath of the siege of Orleans.

The French victory was totally unexpected and Jeanne’s fame as a leader spread like wildfire through the ranks of both the English and French military. The French achieved a series of victories in swift succession which included the battle of Patay on June 18th. Patay has been described as an Agincourt in reverse and a great French victory. The result can be attributed to Jeanne’s decision to pursue the retreating English army when the other commanders could not make up their minds what to do.

The Battle of Patay.

The delighted French soldiers were heard to cry:

‘Patay! Patay! Patay! For France such a glorious day!

This was was the price that the English for their crimes, were forced to pay!

This is our revenge over the English for Agincourt!

This will not be the last victory, there will be more!’

By July Reims itself was in French hands. True to her word, the Dauphin was crowned King Charles VII of France in Reims Cathedral in July 1429. As you can see, Jeanne was present, looking on approvingly. To her mind, God’s will had been done.

Jeanne at the coronation of Charles VII at Reims Cathedral.

‘The coronation of the Dauphin at Reims was to the English monarchy, a dreadful, humiliating blow!

To the English, the top priority was: Get the maid! And to that end, it was all systems go!’

 

Jeanne d’Arc

The Duke of Bedford’s lament! Oh how the poor man did lament!

The defeat at Orleans cast terrible thoughts into his mind and boy, did they ferment!

The Duke of Bedford was beside himself with shame and sorrow when the French army, commanded by a teenage French girl, freed the city of Orleans.

The siege of Orleans.

In fact, he must have been inconsolable. The embarrassment! In a fit of intense mortification, the Duke would have exclaimed:

‘Look, I say to you, my dear chaps!

This is the most nasty, indeed the cruellest of mishaps!

It is a fair thing to be beaten by a man who has fought on many a battlefield!

But the shame! Oh yes, the shame, of facing an army led by a girl and being forced to yield!

And just when we all thought that the fate of the Dauphin and his allies was sealed!’

In a mere eight days, French forces led by Joan had driven the English out of all of the bases they had held on the river Loire.

But,…. who was this ‘mere slip of a girl’?

 ‘Yes! Who she?

How did this come to be?

Because Jeanne would be born amongst ye!’

Jeanne was born on January 6th 1412, the feast of the Epiphany in Domremy, a village in the duchy of Lorraine. As is well known, it was the anniversary of the night that the ‘Three Kings’ came bearing gifts for the newly born Jesus. Some would say the anniversary in 1412 brought forth a great gift for the French people.

The Three Kings adore the infant Jesus.

‘It was the feast day of the visit to Jesus in Bethlehem by the Three Kings!

The anniversary in 1412 saw the birth of a girl child, who for France, would do great things!’

Jeanne’s father and mother were Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle, nee Romee, who were both highly respected in the locality. Jacques was a peasant farmer and Isabelle was most devout in her religious beliefs. Their daughter, Jeanne was conscientious in her duties around the farm and became a talented seamstress. Like her mother, young Jeanne was  particularly pious, and appears to have been regarded as something of a prig by the other young people of Domremy.

Reasons why!

It has been suggested that Jeanne’s primary motivation for her crusade against the English was borne of religious fervour. Although this may have been a contributory factor, it must be remembered that France had been ravaged by English invasions for decades. In July 1428, the villagers of Domremy had to flee from the advancing Burgundians who were the allies of the English. Jeanne and her family driving their livestock before them, found refuge in the neighbouring town of Neufchateau. When they returned, they found that Domremy was a smouldering ruin. It was a terrible blow, and one that someone with such a deep sense of justice as Jeanne, would have taken very much to heart.

 It is fair to surmise that if the English had not invaded France, Jeanne would have lived the life of a peasant farmer’s wife in Domremy.

The ‘voices’.

Jeanne has stated that she began to hear a mysterious voice when she was twelve. She was in her father’s garden when a luminous cloud appeared, and from it came a voice. The voice told her that she had been chosen by God to restore France to the authority of King Charles VII. The voices continued and Jeanne concluded that they came from Saint Michael the Archangel.

Saint Michael the Archangel.

                                                                                                          ‘The voice of Saint Michael! His voice! His voice!

I must obey! I have absolutely no choice!’

So, with that, Jeanne’s path in life was set forth.

Henry VI

1421-1471

‘His journey was not that of the average pilgrim!

The odyssey was awkward, hard and grim!’

Henry was born on December 6th 1421 at Windsor. He was never to know his father, Henry V, who was the very epitome of the warrior king. King Henry V died on campaign in France on August 31st of the following year. Although only an infant, Henry’s claim to the throne of England was not disputed, and his three uncles would act as regents until he came of age. Two months later on October 21st 1422, Henry became king of France when his grandfather, Charles VI died.

Charles VI, King of France.

‘As a babe in arms, Henry inherited not just one royal crown but two!

Most agreed that such a favourable blessing was nothing less than his rightful due!’

 Henry was the only king to be simultaneously monarch of both England and France.

                                                                                                           Henry VI crowned king of England in 1429.                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

                                                       Henry VI crowned King of France at Notre Dame in December 1431.                                                      

Few kings of England have had such an auspicious beginning to their reign. However, Henry grew to be a well-intentioned, simple minded man who was easily manipulated by those around him. He was totally unsuited for regal leadership and would have been happier ensconced in the cloister as a monk.

‘Henry was not a man of  martial valour, who habitually performed many a daring deed!

He was more inclined to a holy life of peaceful prayer, and a book of psalms to read!’

He could not have been more unlike his father, Henry V. Henry VI’s time as king would not be happy and events distressed him to the extent that he became insane. Henry’s long reign ended tragically when he was murdered in 1471.

The situation in France in the late 1420s.

The situation in France was one of political and military stalemate. Little had changed since the death of Henry V in 1422. Without the late king’s inspiring leadership and steel like resolution, the great victories were somewhat less frequent. Nevertheless, the English under Henry VI’s uncle, the Duke of Bedford, had consolidated the gains made by Henry V. English forces were firmly in control of the area to the north of the Loire, whereas as the dauphin held sway to the south of the river.

The English encounter an unexpected French commander at Orleans .

In 1429, the Duke of Bedford besieged the town of Orleans. The Dauphin was greatly concerned, because if Orleans was to fall then his territories would be at risk from conquest by the English. Bedford was confident of victory at Orleans and felt that the final defeat of the Dauphin was simply a matter of time.

The siege of Orleans 1429.

In the event, Bedford’s siege was lifted by a French force led by a girl of 17. The young female commander would become known as Joan of Arc. This young woman would lead the French to further victories which enabled the Dauphin to travel to Rheims to be crowned king of France as Charles VII.

‘The Duke of Bedford fancied that the flag of England over Orleans, he would soon unfurl!

He did not count on the determination and skill of a young slip of a French girl!’

The English had suffered a very sudden, serious reversal of fortune from a most unexpected quarter. Who was this teenage girl that foiled the military aims of the seasoned battle commander, the Duke of Bedford?

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