sources+of+Joan+of+arc

**Source One**

**Source two**

 * First **[|**letter**]** Joan of Arc sent to the English: **
 * King of England, and you, Duke of Bedford, who call yourself Regent of the kingdom France; you William de la Pole, Count of Suffolk; John, Lord Talbot; and you Thomas, Lord Scales, who call yourselves lieutenants of the said Duke of Bedford, do justly by the King of Heaven; render to the Maid who is sent here of God, the King of Heaven, the keys of all the good cities that you have taken and violated in France. She has come here from God to restore the royal blood. She is all ready to make peace, if you will deal rightly by her, acknowledge the wrong done France, and pay for what you have taken. And all of you, archers, companions of war, nobles and others who are before you; and if this is not done, expect news of the Maid, who will go to see your shortly, to your very great damage. King of England, if you do not do this, I am Chef de Guerre, and in whatever place I shall find your people in France, I will make them go whether they will or not; and if they will not obey I will have them all killed. I am sent here by God, the King of Heaven, each and all, to put you out of all France. And if they will obey I will be merciful. And stand not by your opinion, for you will never hold the kingdom of France through God, King of Heaven, son of Saint Mary; it will be thus ruled by King Charles VII, true heritor; for God, the King of Heaven, wishes it, and this to him is revealed by the Maid, and he will enter Paris in good company. If you will not believe the news from God and the Maid, in whatever place we shall find you, we shall strike in your midst, and will make so great a hurrah that for a thousand years there has not been one in France so great, if you do not deal justly. And you may well believe that the King of Heaven will send more strength to the Maid than you will be able to lead in all your assaults against her and her good soldiers. And when the blows fall we shall see who will have the better right from God of Heaven. You, Duke of Bedford, the Maid begs you and requires of you that you work not your own destruction. If you listen to her you will yet be able to come in her company to where the French will do the finest deed that ever was done for Christianity. And reply to this, if you wish to make peace at the city of Orleans; and if thus you do not do, you will shortly remember it to your great sorrow. Written this Tuesday, Holy Week. [March 22, 1429] **
 * The letter was dictated at Poitiers, by a clergyman by the name of Jean Erault, during her examination period, to the Duke of Bedford and other military leaders on the English side in Orleans. It was sent on the 22- 25th of April while Joan was in the town- Blois. A copy of the letter found its way into Joan’s condemnation trial- ‘”Journal du siege d’Orleans. **

This Primary source is a letter dictated by Joan to the king of England, she is very determined and precise in her opinion and clear on her decision. From what I can collect from the letter, Joan had wished to give the opposition a chance to clear out, to surrender from Orleans, otherwise warning them of her attack and its consequences, before she and her army bombarded them. Joan has great faith and trust in her religion, and draws from it conviction in her judgment and courage to stand up to a force, what seemed as though would overcome France. The letter above is useful, as it shows some of Joan’s nature, that she would rather not harm other people if she had the choice, but was prepared to take the challenge if it came to it- if the English- Burgundian forces ignored her warning.

**Source three **

This illustration dated 10th of May 1429, by Clement de Fauquembergue, a sketch drawn in the margin of the register of the parliament of Paris, on the day that news arrived in Paris of the French victory in Orleans. Even though Fauquembergue had never seen Joan, this is the only illustration (primary source) of Joan that still exists today. Even though it is only drawn (literally) from descriptions other people had told Fauquembergue, I can see that, from this source Joan was prepared for battle, carrying a sword and her banner. Also her hair appears to be short- or otherwise tied back, but, from other sources Joan was believed to have worn armour, not a dress, as is shown in this sketch. So, for usefulness, the illustration is not all that useful, except to show that of the obvious, Joan was a young woman, short hair and had her own banner and weapons.