Joan: From Armor to High Fashion

As I was thinking about Cindy’s presentation on Joan’s male dress, it actually prompted me to question whether Joan has inspired any modern dress, although I had no doubts her cultural imprint would, of course, encompass the realm of fashion. One of the first items I ran across was a 1998 Alexander McQueen fashion show, in which he utilized Joan as an inspiration. Interestingly enough, in a video in which McQueen is interviewed about the show, McQueen himself states that he was “pushing boundaries.”  Thus, in this way, McQueen chose the right inspiration, as Joan did push the boundaries of societal restrictions. McQueen goes on to comment “you can’t get much stronger than a head of an army.” Therefore, the “strong” Joan was clearly the one at large in this particular fashion show. As to the actual clothing, some of it is strikingly red, other includes bits of material that at least appear as chainmail, and some of the models even take on a bald appearance. Finally, the spectacle ends dramatically with one model in the middle of a ring of fire as you can see below, to indicate Joan’s burning. What do you think of McQueen’s inspirations from Joan?

To watch the interview and clips of fashion show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN1gS2KcK0w
Some of best images are in the above video, but here are a few as well:

Joan as Leader of Men

In is article “A Woman as Leader of Men: Joan of Arc’s Military Career” Kelly DeVries provides an argument on why the soldiers in Joan’s army chose to be loyal to a young peasant woman.  It would seem to be counterintuitive for the French soldiers to be okay with having a woman as their captain. However, Joan ended up being one of the most influential captains in the Hundred Year’s War. Her soldiers followed her into battle and seemed to have no ill feelings about this, as they all remembered her and her military capabilities fondly years later at the Rehabilitation Trial. DeVries points out that women leaders were rare in the Middle Ages and could even have been used against Joan. He states that “Often, too, the rumor of a woman leading an opposing army had been used by eaters to incite their troops against the obvious heresy, sorcery and immorality of their opponents” (DeVries 4). This is exactly what the English did in response to Joan. One soldier at Orleans asked whether they were expected to surrender to a woman and called her soldiers “unbelieving pimps” (DeVries 4). 

DeVries goes on to argue that Joan shares many similarities with a mercenary captain, who would command large numbers of soldiers who were very loyal and who in return received various forms of payment. In explaining this idea, DeVries says that “Joan did not offer her troops terrestrial possessions; she offered them religious possessions, in particular salvation” (DeVries 5). Joan’s religious presence was very important to her military success. Her faith and the holiness that she represented seemed to make her soldiers that much more loyal to her. DeVries states that Joan’s soldiers “seemed to have welcomed the holiness that she represented, and in fact some marveled and even relished the spirituality of their own existence when with her” (DeVries 12). 

Joan leading the attack on the Tourelles. 

                           By Jules Levenpeu

My research paper is about Joan and other Medieval female warriors. Part of my paper will focus on how Joan was atypical in the fact that she was not only accepted and liked by her fellow soldiers but that she was also respected and followed. DeVries’ analysis of why Joan’s military career was so successful directly relates to my argument. In comparison to other female warriors at the time, Joan did not already command respect because of her family, but she garnered more respect on the battlefield anyway due to her natural talents in warfare, but also because of her religious position. It is easy to prescribe her military success to her military capabilities, but, as DeVries points out, her religious standing is just as important.

 DeVries, Kelly. “A Woman as Leader of Men: Joan of Arc’s Military Career”. In Fresh Verdicts on Joan of Arc edited by Bonnie Wheeler and Charles T. Wood, 3-18. New York: Garland Publishing, 1996. 

An Open Letter to Joan of Arc

As I think back over the semester, I cannot help but feel immense gratitude for Joan. I am grateful first for the strength and courage she exemplified. She was unafraid to forge a new path for herself – and one no less that her parents nor society were quite fond of. I am also thankful for her steadfastness in both religion and moral conviction. She was indeed unwilling to compromise what she wanted for her life, a lesson any twenty-something can surely relate to. Lastly, I am thankful for Joan’s sensitivity. She was brave and strong, but she also displayed gentleness and kindness. I am thankful for her example, and revealing over five hundred years prior that women can do and be both. After feeling oddly nostalgic for both Joan and the experience of this class, I have taken the liberty of comprising an open letter to Joan from those who desire to study her.

Dear Joan,

Your life and experiences rings out from the history books. You are often discussed and debated, but scholars and students alike are seldom able to definitively describe your existence. You defied numerous societal norms and rules of your time, unwavering in your beliefs. You bested the English in combat, although you lacked any knightly training or otherwise. You gained male friendships, while remaining a virginal anomaly. You often outwitted the judges at your trial, never forgetting to speak strongly. And lastly, you went to the stake, dying for your cause.

Because of these reasons and so much more, we study you. The historical records often provide answers, and yet we debate. Primary sources reveal the extensive following you had, a following that has outlived even you. You are questioned, revered, misunderstood, and cherished. Regardless of what answers scholars will provide next, we thank you for your humble and yet astonishing life. May we seek to better understand you.

Sincerely,

Those Who Simply Wish to Know You More

"Jeanne at the Coronation of Charles VII in the Cathedral of Reims" by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1854. 

"Pearl" -- Katy Perry

Katy Perry has many empowering songs along with fun songs. One song that I stumbled upon included Joan of Arc and also fits the feminist theme. Her song "Pearl" is about a girl who is forced to dim her potential by a guy because of the strength of their love.

The song compares the girl to the statue of Liberty, a pyramid, hurricane and other strong and powerful influences, including Joan of Arc. It suggests that Joan of Arc is a strong and admirable woman that girls should look up to. With the inclusion of Joan of Arc, Perry also has a recurring line "She is unstoppable".

Joan of Arc is used as an image for oppressed women to stand up for themselves and to use their full potential, regardless of an obstacles. In the end of it all, those who try to diminish who you really are and what you can do have no power to take it from you, just like Joan. Although the court tried their best to make her terminate her belief and style, and were successful for a short time, Joan returned to who she was knowing it would cause her death.

This song is very similar in its use of Joan as Gage's play. It takes her life to illustrate larger issues in the society, in this case domestic violence or women's rights.



Lyric Video:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKMDXnPmWDM

Photo:
http://www.pearlsonly.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Katy-Perry-Photoshoot-Wallpaper2.jpg