Joan to the English: Seven Years Till Doom

Perusing the original seventy articles containing Joan’s responses, although not surprising to those familiar with typical Joan characteristics, there are some intriguing and bold replies on her part. In relation to her interrogator’s question in Article 21 regarding her heading of “Jhesus Maria” and the tone of her letters to different English authorities throughout her journey, she states, “I did not send the letters of which you speak in pride or in presumption, but by command of Our Lord...If the English had believed my letters, they would only have been wise; and before seven years are gone they will perceive it well enough.” Such a statement by Joan, although not unexpected, is still a significant testament to her unflagging confidence even in the face of capture, trial, and possible death. She actually goes as far to threaten the English when she literally can wield nothing against them but her words; her seven-year warning appears both prophetic and aggressive, almost as if she is suggesting the good tide in war she ushered in will not die with her.

 In Article 22, she repeats the very same notion, stating, “Before seven years are gone, they [the British] will feel the truth of what I wrote to them.” It is difficult to say if Joan chose seven years because she had received another specific revelation from her voices or she chose seven simply as a time in which she felt confidently the French would stand firmer yet against the English and Burgundians. Regardless, it is interesting given this statement from Joan that within five years after Joan’s death the Burgundians did sign a peace treaty with the French, thus giving the French an advantage against the English. Altogether, Joan’s words signal a certain sense of her own accomplishments, in that she had paved the way for further French gains. In essence, Joan exudes a knowing tone with the British, one in which she leaves a foreboding statement, neither shaken in confidence nor her ultimate objectives. Although clearly Joan was very serious, I can almost see a scene with her smiling knowingly and delivering her ‘Oh, just give it a few years, you will see” line to the unwise English as Joan labels them.

Source: http://www.stjoan-center.com/Trials/sec13.html

 

 

 Interesting representation of Joan with the heading of Jhesus Maria that Article 21 refers to.

Image Source:http://www.stjoan-center.com/