9.17.2014

History Through Parody

In keeping with this week’s apparent theme for Joan in pop culture, I have found a YouTube video song entitled “Horrible Histories- Joan of Arc” that is both (somewhat) historically accurate, all while maintaining a sarcastic tone that is so often found in pop culture references to Joan. The video gives an entire “history” of Joan starting from the time she heard voices to her trial and death at the stake. To narrow down a topic, however, let’s stick with discussing the video’s illustration of Joan’s mission in regards to King Charles VII, and the male soldiers’ impressions of her as a warrior.

The video first mentions Charles as the Dauphin Joan was determined to have crowned the rightful heir to the French throne, a title the English had usurped in the Treaty of Troyes. Pretty good history! The next mention of Charles skips past Joan’s initial encounter entirely, and, interestingly enough, moves to his assertion that she could in fact have an army and precede to Orleans. The artist then proceeds to discuss how Joan inspired men in battle, impressing them as a “mascot.” While the idea of Joan as a mascot is arguable, it is without doubt from testimony at her Nullification Trial that the men associated with Joan on her journey regarded her as ignorant in all things aside from war. Noting how impressed they appeared to be in light of her military knowledge and strategy.


The video covers many topics that will pertain to our study of Joan in the subsequent weeks, as well as topics we previously covered including her male dress and feisty responses to the judges at the Rouen Trial. Interestingly enough, the video makes a point to quote word for word some of Joan’s sarcastic answers, indicating the artist knew more than perhaps the average parody-maker in terms of Joan’s trial records and overall history. While the video is slightly comical, it also raises several accurate topics regarding Joan, earning it a grade of B+ from me.

To view the video, click the link below!

4 comments:

  1. I'm pretty sure I have that song stuck in my head now! But great observation Rachel, I found it interesting that they referred her to a mascot too. Especially since its hard to imagine the Joan of Arc as a mascot and not a leader.

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  2. I believe mascot could be an applicable term. Great leaders are also great at rallying their troops. Team mascots are seen as a way to rally the team and is what helps inspire the team when they are feeling like they can't win. Mascots improve morale and Joan definitely improved French morale at a critical time in the Hundred Years War.

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  3. Interesting that there might be differing interpretations of what a mascot is. Good to be thinking of this question, and weighing the evidence.

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  4. I could see Joan being a mascot in the same sense that Stonewall Jackson would be considered a mascot during the Civil War. His troops rallied behind his bravery and so did Joan's men in the Hundred Years War.

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