Joan of Arc Timeline

Birth

1412

The farming village of Doremy, France, was divided in terms of loyalties in the year 1412.- the two powers being the duchy of Burgundy and the royal family of France. In that same year, Joan of Arc was born to Jacques D'Arc, a farmer residing in Doremy. Little did anyone know, that same little girl would grow up to be the heroic maiden that fought for France's liberation from the clutches of England. This also happened to be a popular prophecy in France at the time... (Joan of Arc)

Beginning of Henry V of England's reign

1413

Henry V was a stern, yet skilled leader, knighted at the young age of 12 and crowned as king at 26. He helped quell multiple plots and rebellions targeting his father, and defeated the French at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, only a few years after his reign began. (Ben Johnson)

Pope John XXIII deposed

1415

In the year 1415, near the end of the Western Great Schism in Europe, Pope John XXIII was forced to abidicate his position as the pope. Thanks to political issues involving the king of Naples' betrayal, John was forced to pull together a court. Though Italy's rep supported him, England, France, and Germany agreed that he should abidicate. (Encyclopædia Britannica)

Great Schism ends in Rome

1417

The Great Schism was a period of time in the Middle Ages in which the Church was split into two halves. This took place in Western Europe, and the two sides consisted of the Eastern Orthodox (loyal to the patriarch) and the Roman Catholic (loyal to the pope) sides. However, the conflicts died down in 1417, and the Church retuned to its normal state.

The Forbidden City is finished in China

1420

After 14 years of difficult work, the Forbidden City was finished in 1420, in the city of Beijing. The imperial palace was called forbidden because common folk weren't allowed to enter it. The palace still remains the largest- and arguably, the most impressive- imperial palace in the world today. It housed 24 emperors and remained the central palace for almost 500 years. (Cindy Tang)

St. Elizabeth's Flood

Nov 17, 1421

St. Elizabeth's flood, named for St. Elizabeth's feast day on the same day, shook the residents living along the coast of the North Sea- specifically, in what is now the Netherlands. Almost 10,000 died in the ocean storm. But this certainly wasn't the first storm they'd seen. Like the last few times, the Dutch got back up on their feet, rebuilt, and lived life as they always had. (This Day In History- November 17)

Voices Urge Joan To Save France

1425

Joan was devout all her life, from childhood to death. Around the time she was thirteen years old, she began to hear the voices of three heavenly saints. Saints Michael, Margaret, and Catherine "whispered" to her, calling her "Joan, Daughter of God" and urging her to rescue France. Joan was so distressed that she burst into tears upon being told. Despite this, she promised them she would always remain a virgin and lead a pious life. (Joan of Arc)

Meeting with Baudricourt

1428

Sometime around 1428, Joan was tasked by the voices she heard to seek out Robert de Baudricourt. He was the local garrison leader and a strong supporter of Charles VII, the dauphin of France. He turned away Joan and her heavenly plea the first time. When she returned to him, she managed to convince him to give her a horse and soldiers as escorts for her journey to the city of Chinon, where the dauphin resided. (Joan of Arc)

The City of Chinon- Journey and Meeting

1429

After permission from Baudricourt, Joan chopped off her hair and donned the armor of a man, trekking through enemy territory for 11 days to reach the city of Chinon, where the dauphin of France resided- Charles VII. He was skeptical about her "divine" inspirations at first, but she quickly won him over after spotting him correctly in his crowded court while he was dressed undercover. After being checked by the clergy, who saw her pious heart, she set out to save France. (Biography.com)

Received banner and sword from Church of Saint Catherine

1429

To lead the French army properly, Charles presented Joan with a sword and banner from the church of Saint Catherine de Fierbois- one of Joan's patron saints. Though she received the sword, she didn't use it in battle- she only wielded her banner, acting as an inspirational figure and tactician for the French army, rather than actively fighting with them. (Joan of Arc)

Crowning at Reims

1429

After months of hard-fought battles, Reims was finally retaken in the July of 1429, and Charles VII was crowned on the 17th of that month. Joan knelt before him during his coronation, as she'd finally fulfilled the wishes of her patron saints. She'd helped to continue the royal Valois dynasty, and take back the French crown from England's hands. (Julian Thery)

Siege of Orleans

Apr 29, 1429

The Battle of Orleans was a major battle in the Hundred Years' War in which Joan helped to turn the tide of the war. She brought much needed reinforcements to aid the French Army. Her leadership skills and tactical knowledge allowed them to distract British troops, effectively splitting their enemy's forces in half and guiding them to victory. Joan herself had to retreat on May 7, 1429, when an British arrow struck her. (Julian Thery)

Siege of Compiègne

1430

The Siege of Compiègne was the final battle Joan fought in during her lifetime. Joan led the French against the Duke of Burgundy, who threatened an attack on the city beforehand. Joan swore she'd ride out and stop him and the rest of his forces. Unfortunately, the battle led to her ultimate demise- capture by Britain's allies and imprisonment for nearly a year.

Trials of Joan

Mar 26, 1431

Joan was taken captive by the English in 1431, after being separated from the French army some time after the attack on Paris two years prior. She was kept in a military prison, rather than a normal one, and her series of trials lasted almost two months. The English turned her own words and actions against her, from her favorite childhood festivities to her ability to hear saints' voices. Eventually, she was convicted for witchcraft and heresy, and marked for death. (Julien Thery)

Death

May 31, 1431

After a series of trials and months of imprisonment, Joan was dragged to the marketplace in Rouen, France, where she was burned at the stake. Legends say that Joan's heart somehow survived the burning- but whether that's true or not, no one knows. Centuries later, she's been hailed as a saint and martyr, shattering gender roles and acting as an inspirational figure to all.(Biography.com)

Inca Empire is founded

1438

The sprawling Inca empire was erected along the west coast of South America shortly after the death of Joan of Arc. The empire lasted for about 95 years, lying in the heart of Machu Picchu, located deep in the mountains of Peru. Its reason of demise? The Spanish conquistadors that arrived on the scene in 1533. (Inca Civilization)