Joan of Arc and Christine de Pizan's Ditie

This controversial work argues that serious historians should accept that Joan of Arc was trained and that Christine de Pizan played a role in her appearance, connecting her to the knights who fought with her.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2021
Publisher: Lexington Books

Based on a thorough analysis of Joan's trial and rehabilitation records, early letters announcing her arrival at Chinon, and three literary works, this thought-provoking work contends that serious historians should embrace the notion that Joan received training. It suggests that she was identified and taught how to behave in anticipation of the fulfillment of the Charlemagne Prophecy and other prophecies from the Joachite tradition. The study explores the possibility that Christine de Pizan, who had been promoting these prophecies from the early years of the century, played a role in bringing about Joan's appearance. Furthermore, it establishes, at the very least, numerous connections linking Christine de Pizan to the knights who fought alongside Joan.

Introduction:
The life and career of Joan of Arc have captivated the attention of historians and scholars for centuries. While her heroic deeds and unwavering devotion to the French cause have earned her widespread admiration, there has been ongoing debate about her training and the extent to which she was influenced by religious prophecies. This controversial work aims to shed light on these issues by examining a close reading of the records of Joan's trial and rehabilitation, early letters announcing her arrival at Chinon, and three literary works: Christine de Pizan's Ditié, Martin le Franc's Le Champion des dames, and Alain Chartier's Traité de l'Esperance.

Training:
The first section of the work explores the possibility that Joan was trained. It argues that serious historians should accept that Joan received some form of military training, rather than dismissing her as a mere peasant girl who was guided by divine inspiration. The author suggests that Joan was identified and taught how to behave in the expectation of the fulfillment of the Charlemagne Prophecy and other prophecies from the Joachite tradition. These prophecies predicted that a woman would emerge as a savior to lead France to victory against its enemies and restore the French monarchy.

Identification and Teaching:
The author proposes that Christine de Pizan, who had been promoting these prophecies from the beginning of the century, had some hand in the process that resulted in Joan's appearance. Christine de Pizan was a prominent writer and philosopher in the late 14th century who wrote extensively on gender roles, warfare, and religious prophecy. The author argues that Christine de Pizan's writings could have influenced the perception of Joan as a savior figure and provided her with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out her mission.

Connections to the Knights:
The second section of the work demonstrates that there are many links connecting Christine de Pizan to the knights who fought with Joan. The author analyzes the literary works and historical records to identify connections between Christine de Pizan and the knights who participated in the Hundred Years' War. The author suggests that Christine de Pizan may have had personal connections with some of these knights or may have been influenced by their experiences and stories.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this controversial work argues that serious historians should accept that Joan was trained and that Christine de Pizan played a significant role in bringing about her appearance. The study explores the possibility that Joan was identified and taught how to behave in anticipation of the fulfillment of the Charlemagne Prophecy and other prophecies from the Joachite tradition. It establishes, at the very least, numerous connections linking Christine de Pizan to the knights who fought alongside Joan. While the exact nature of Joan's training and the extent to which she was influenced by religious prophecies remain subject to debate, this work provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted character of Joan of Arc.

Weight: 516g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793613165