Who Was Chrsitine de Pisan?

Christine de Pisan was not only an admirer of Joan of Arc, according to Biography.com Christine de Pisan is considered a pioneering feminist writer and one of the most notable women writers of medieval times. Her father, Tommaso di Benvenuto da Pizzano, was the court astrologer for France's King Charles V.  She grew up in the French Court, gaining access to education that most women at that time could not. Around the age of 15, de Pisan married Etienne du Castel, He was very supportive of her interest in writing and other intellectual pursuits (Bio.com). The couple had three children together before his death in 1389 (Bio.com).  She started to write after his death to support her family. One of her most recognized work is the "Book of the city of ladies". In regards to our class, de Pisan wrote her last literature work praising Joan of Arc in 1429.

I specifically like this part of the poem where she quotes,

” A girl of only sixteen years

(Does this not outdo Nature's skill?)

Who lightly heavy weapons bears,

Of strong and hard food takes her fill,

And thus is like it. And God's foes

Before her swiftly fleeing run,

She did this in the public eye.

There tarried not a single one.

 XXXVI”

She expresses her admiration for Joan, because she made the female sex look strong, especially  coming from a young peasant girl. And of course she was able to do this in the public eye such as everyone in France who was either counting on her or betting against her. As well as the enemies who may have heard about her. 

Above is an image of de Pisan, dressed in blue and presenting her book which is something we often associate her with.

Sources:

 http://www.biography.com/people/christine-de-pisan-9247589

http://www.jehannedarc.org/song.html