The Messenger: The Story of Joan Arc
1. Joan of Arc: God’s Warrior. Directed by Lucy Swingler, performances by Helen Castor, BBC. 2015.
Dr. Helen Castor’s documentary depicts the rise and fall of Joan of Arc’s heroine life. As mentioned in the film, Castor has studied medieval history for over thirty years thus making her a reliable and credible for this topic. Castor has studied many primary sources about Joan’s story. She virtually takes the viewers to France’s National Library, where one can see the only real drawing that exists from Joan’s time of existence and the book containing the thoroughly documented trial where Joan was sentenced to death. The film also explains the Battle of Agincourt during The Hundred Years War, a territorial conflict between the English and French. Explaining the backstory of this war, which is not included in the film, gives some insight as to why religion played such a big role in Joan’s life as well as King’s Charles VII decision to accept her as a warrior. Through visuals Castor explains the divisiveness that has ruled France for years which is why they continue to be defeated by England. According to history, Joan’s visions demonstrate she is God’s messenger who will unite France under one king. All these facts are important to understanding the film The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, as it fails to mention these key details which address real life situations of the time in which the story happened.
2. McGill, Sara Ann. “Joan of Arc.” Joan of Arc, Aug. 2017, pp. 1–2. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh&AN=18052878&site=ehost-live.
This short biography by author Sara Ann McGill provides a unique outlook on the life of Joan. The author highlights important moments throughout Joan’s life. One key fact this source provides is how Joan was not in fact explicitly betrayed by King Charles VII prior to her capture by the Burgundians. His betrayal came the moment he decided to not save Joan by paying her ransom or trading her for one of the Burgundian or English prisoners. When the English bought her, he did nothing prior or after her sentence. This source adds to the relevance of the story on how she was murdered, her journey to meet the dauphin and the bravery to accomplish her goal. Furthermore, one can see how the author has simplified all these moments and other aspects in Joan’s life to provide a clear understanding on how things occurred and how far Hollywood exaggerates a story. An example of such exaggeration is the Catherine’s rape, Joan’s sister. The film shows this is what fuels Joan’s hatred for the English and drives her revenge. However, in neither of the sources the reader has researched such event took place.
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3. The Trial Of Jeanne D'Arc, trans. W.P. Barrett
Throughout Joan’s childhood her mother by the name of Isabelle, instilled in Joan that you must stay committed to the Catholic Church. At age of 13, Joan had her first encounter with the “spirit” leading to revelation. Following the directions sent by God, Joan went onto lead the French battle to label Charles of Valois as king. Overtime, Joan gained followers and received approval to lead the army to Orléans, which had been under control by the English. She was successful in her military journey by ridding Orléans being ruled by the English in a matter of nine days. When Joan was told to confront a Burgundian assault, she was thrown off her horse and captured by Anglo-Burgundian forces. In 1431, she was tried for heresy by the English Church court who burned her atthe scene. Joan of Arc caused controversy from her catholic beliefs and practices.
4. Anne Llewellyn Barstow, 'Joan of Arc and Female Mysticism,' Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion
Barstow gives insight of the perspective of groups other than the English. Despite that fact that English rulers tried to dictate Joan’s motives as demonically inspired, Joan gained a large audience of French and other non-English people by listening to the instructions of her inner voices. Her range of influence included individual followers as well as cities. After her series of victories, Joan of Arc attempted to persuade Charles toto overthrow Paris. However, Charles and his advisor Georges de La Trémoille were concerned about the amount of influence that Joan of Arc was gaining over the French people. Joan’s role as a leader threatened the reigning of Charles. When Joan of Arc was put on trial by the English, Charles and the French did not help because they were fearful of the power that she had gained and did not want to be associated with her. Because of Joan’s position as a leader, both the English and the French became cautious and threatened
5. “Saint Joan of Arc.' Encyclopedia Britannica online https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Joan-of-Arc
Joan of Arc’s practices involved inspiration from God, which created controversy in the church . During Joan’s trial, the judge claimed that Joan “misled the Catholic people” by practicing religion in her own form and refusing to submit to the orders of court, Joan publicly rid the need for religion and also threatening the Church. In attempt to relieve Joan’s practices, which threatened the Church. The church commented that Joan’s “life coincided with an outbreak of heresy...immediately attributed to the Devil.” This indicates that Joan used the Devil as an excuse for her actions. Rather than commencing Joan on her skill on the blessing of God, the French society focused on her work for the Devil. The frequent explanation of Joan’s actions as a product of the Devil magnifies the overwhelming insecurity that the Church and enemies felt toward Joan.
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