Monograph Number One in The Mentor Reading Course
Joan of Arc, whose name more properly was Jeanneton Darc, and who is now known in France as Jeanne d'Arc, was one of the most wonderful women that ever lived. It is hard to believe some of the strange things that happened to her before she was twenty years old.
She was born at Domrémy, over in the eastern part of France, on January 6, 1412. She was the daughter of a peasant, and never learned to read or write; yet later in her life learned men could not puzzle her by questions. She was so sympathetic that she would stop to comfort her wounded enemies on the battlefield; yet she was so brave that even when severely wounded she continued to lead her soldiers.
Before hearing the story of Joan of Arc, it is interesting to know something of what was happening in France at the time she lived. For a long time the English king had been trying to make himself also the ruler of France. The ruler at that time was named Charles; but he had never been crowned king, as the coronation should have taken place at the Cathedral at Rheims (English pronunciation—Reemz.) But as Rheims was in the power of the English, Charles could not go there to be crowned.
The French themselves were divided into two parts. Some of them sided with Charles; but more took the part of England. These latter people lived in Burgundy. So at the time that Joan of Arc was born France was in a most unhappy state.
The girl sometimes guarded her father's flocks, and she was always glad to assist in the household work. She was noted for her physical strength, and for this reason and for her unselfish kindness she was a favorite in her village. She was of an extremely religious temperament, and the church services made her very happy.
When Joan was about thirteen years old her Voices came to her for the first time. She told of this great event later in her life:
"When I was about thirteen years old there came to me a Voice from God, teaching me how I was to behave and what I was to do. And the first time that Voice came I was afraid. I was standing about the middle of the day, in summer, in my father's garden. The Voice came from the right hand, from where the church stands, and when it came I usually saw a great light on the side from which it spoke. The Voice told me to be a good girl and go to church and go to save France. I said I was only a poor girl, who could not ride or lead the soldiers in the wars."
Joan also said that she saw figures of angels, and she enjoyed talking to them and listening to their counsel. However, no one else ever saw the angels or heard the Voices.