Joan of Arc Timeline

Joan of Arc is Born

1412

Joan of Arc was born in Domremy in 1412, though the exact date is unknown. Her parents were Jacques d'Arc and Isabelle Romeé, Catholic peasants who worked a farm. Isabelle taught Joan about her faith, which would later come to influence her decision to embark on a mission from "God." This event in history is important because it is the birth of one of France's most famous heroines, who would bring Charles VII to the French throne, and capture and defend land for her country. (Maid of Heaven 1).

Brunelleschi's Rules of Perspective

1412

In the year that Joan of Arc was born, an artist named Filipo Brunelleschi created the "Rules of Perspective." These rules were a movement in art to make paintings and sketches seem more realistic by adding depth. Artworks included a vanishing point, in which objects would seemingly become farther away, even though they were simply getting smaller the closer they got to it. This was a significant point in history as it was the turning point in which art became more realistic. (Britannica 1).

The Forbidden City is Completed

1420

Under the reign of the Chinese Emperor, Yongle, the capital of China was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. Here he built the Forbidden City, which was finished in 1420, and was his place of residence. This is a significant historical event because the Forbidden City would stand as a "political center" for China, and would house the next 13 emperors. Today it is the largest ancient palace, and is in better condition than any other in China. (Travel China Guide 1), (Pkl 1).

Joan Hears Voices from the Saints

1425

At age 13, Joan of Arc began hearing the voices of and seeing Saints. At first only Saint Michael visited her, asking her to perform tasks assigned by God. In order to convince her, the Saints Margret and Catherine visited her as well. Joan was instructed to make Charles VII, an heir of the French throne, the king, and to defeat the English. This event is very significant as it begins Joan on her rise to fame and brings a series of successes in battle and several gains to France. (Matthews 198).

Pope Martinus V Establishes the University of Leuven

Dec 9, 1425

The University of Leuven was established in 1425 by Pope Martinus V. This university caught the attention of many students, who attended and studied languages and law. This is an important event because this university would come to be the oldest Catholic university in the world, and would be the place of teaching for various figures such as Pope Adrian, Erasmus, Justus Lipsius, and others. (Lemmens 1), (KU Leuven 1).

Joan Convinces Charles VII of Her Abilities

1428

After trekking across France, Joan found Charles VII in Chinon, where she told him of her mission. Joan proved her knowledge and skill by sharing secret information about the State, and demonstrating her abilities with horseback riding and a lance. To make sure that she was not a follower of evil, she was tested by the Parlement of Poitiers and Royal Council, and announced pure. This important meeting allowed Joan to lead soldiers into battle when the English later attacked. (Churchill 65-72).

Joan Saves Orléans

May 8, 1429

After the English had laid siege to Orléans in October of 1428, Joan of Arc led a small army to defeat them. Joan brought supplies and soldiers to the eastern gate, while the English were focused on a French attack in the west. She led some attacks herself, and even when shot with an arrow, persisted. The English retreated. These battles were important because they let Joan accede to the head of the French army, and she would come to lead the French to several more successes. (History.com 1).

Victories Over Jargeau and Patay

Jun 18, 1429

After taking Orléans from the English and opening up the Loire, Joan led assults in Jargeau and Patay. Joan had decided to follow the English after they retreated from Orléans, and in Jargeau, almost 700 English were killed with the use of cannons. In Patay, there were almost 2,500 English casualties. Although there were plenty other successful battles, those in Jargeau and Patay are two important examples of how Joan gained fame and inspired her troops to fight. (Hickman 1), (Manning 1).

Al-Kāshī Dies

Jun 22, 1429

Al-Kāshī was a brilliant mathematician born in Persia around 1380. He created the Miftāḥ al-ḥisāb, which was an encyclopedia of how to solve problems involving astronomy, finance, and other topics through arithmetic. He also created another work, a polygon, that had 3 × 2^28 sides that he used to round to Pi. The cause of his death was murder. This event is significant because it was the death of a great benefactor to mathematics, who is noted for his accuracy. (Britannica 1).

Charles VII is Crowned

Jul 16, 1429

After Joan of Arc's various wins, she convinced Charles VII to go to Rheims to be crowned King of France. Rheims had been in enemy lands, but surprisingly, the people helped him to get through to the city. There, Charles acceded to the throne. This major event for Joan was important because it meant that she had completed her mission from God and the Saints. Even though she considered her work to be done, she was goaded into staying to fight in the army. (Churchill 65-72).

The Portuguese Explore Past Morocco

1430

In the same year that Joan had been captured by the Burgundians, Portuguese Mariners began to sail further south than Cape Bojador, Morocco. This occurred in search of a water passage to places in Africa in which gold was discovered. This is an important event in history as it was part of the process of the expansion of Portugal's knowledge of possible sea routes, and would later lead to the trading for ivory, spices, grains, clothing, and copper with West Africa. (LDHI 1).

The Capture of Joan of Arc

May 23, 1430

After retreating from attacking Paris, due to injuries, Joan attempted to gain Compiègne for France, and ultimately failed. When the French retreated to a safe city and the gates were closed, Joan had not reached it, locking her out to face the Burgundians. Joan was captured and sold to the English with Charles VII making no effort to save her. This is important because it was the beginning of Joan's downfall. After being sold, she would be tried and executed for heresy. (Brandt, Sagarin 12-23).

Philip of Saint-Pol Dies

Aug 4, 1430

Philip of Saint-Pol, the Duke of Brabant, in the Netherlands, died at age 26. He commanded Burgundian soldiers in Paris in 1419. The people of Brabant were unsatisfied with his brother, John's, governing, so when he was visited by Philip in 1412 and asked to resign, he accepted. Philip's death was an important event in history because it allowed for a new Duke to take Brabant, and for his aunt to receive the other lands that Philip had ruled. (Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias 1).

The Start of the Trials

Feb 21, 1431

After her capture, the English questioned Joan about her actions, believing that she followed the Devil. For almost a year, Joan was imprisoned, and questioned under the orders of Pierre Cauchon, but her sincere answers left many uncertain of her crimes. The questioning and trials were important events because those trying her failed to see any evidence of her wrongdoings, and there was some hope that she would win, despite the Bishop of Beauvais wanting her dead. (Brandt, Sagarin 12-23).

Joan Signs an Abjuration

May 24, 1431

Pierre Cauchon tricked Joan into signing an illegal document by bluffing her sentencing, making her think that she would live only by signing it. It listed accusations that she would unknowingly admit to by signing. When the guards who stayed in her cell took away the female attire that she promised to wear, she put on male attire to relieve herself, and was then seen as relapsed heretic. This is important as it would lead to her death, as she was now seen as a witch. (Brandt, Sagarin 12-23).

Joan of Arc is Executed

May 30, 1431

After breaking her promise that she was not a heretic, by wearing male attire, Joan of Arc was tried as a witch and sentenced to death. She was brought to the stakes to be burned, and she held a cross made of twigs for comfort as the fire consumed her. This event was important because it was the death of Joan of Arc, the heroine who had brought land and success to France, as well as a new king, and is as famous as she was many years ago, today. (Brandt, Sagarin 12-23).