634. Joan of Arc: Heroine in Chains (Part 3)

January 12, 2026

Description

How was Charles VII, with the help of Joan of Arc, able to fight his way to Reims to be crowned in the ancient seat of French kings? Why was she able to continually defeat the formidable soldiers...

Books Referenced

Joan of Arc: The Image of Female Heroism

Author: Marina Warner

Context:

Tom Holland cites Marina Warner's book multiple times, noting she is 'brilliant on this' regarding Joan's social mobility and self-presentation as a knight, and later quoting her observation that 'the English side believed in Joan the Maid more than the French.'

Joan of Arc: A History

Author: Helen Castor

Context:

Tom Holland quotes Helen Castor's book on Joan regarding the fall of Troyes, noting that 'after four days of fear and deepening uncertainty, the sight of these preparations for an assault led by the miraculous maid finally shattered the town's resistance.'