and, according to one chronicler, without adequate food supplies or money. The result to her credibility was disastrous. She was forced to “withdraw shamefully”, abandoning her artillery. Would one with divine support really fail so miserably? Without her captains her inexperience was exposed.

During December, both she and her family were ennobled, receiving many fine gifts. Joan was being transformed from a peasant girl into a lady. Was this a ploy to pay her off, to separate her from her core support, the ordinary person? Were they seeking to dilute her powerful image? Despite all these political shenanigans ranged against her, Joan only desired to fight on.

Another defeat on 29 March 1430 was narrowly avoided near Lagny-sur-Marne, when Franquet d’Arras and 300 men-at-arms threatened to vanquish Joan and 400French combatants. The timely arrival of requested reinforcements from Lagny prevented further military embarrassment. Again, during May, at Choisy-au-Bac, Joan had to retreat after several attacks against Burgundians were repelled by cannons. Later, at Compiégne, her aggression sealed her fate. The city had built up its defences to withstand a Burgundian siege, but, revealing her lack of restraint, Joan led a sortie to attack the besiegers, which resulted in her capture.

Conclusion

How are we to view the Maid? It would certainly not be correct to assume that Joan was a mere cheerleader for the French army; neither would it be accurate to claim that she was solely responsible for their victories. The primary sources are so tarnished with self-interest that they have created an impenetrable fog around her, allowing