A Visitor to the Dauphin
While browsing through Catherine Delors' website, I came upon an article on the young Jehanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) that deals with an episode from 1429, when she finally succeeded in convincing the very troubled dauphin Charles that he was indeed the legitimate heir to the throne and destined to be crowned and anointed at Reims. Here's a passage:
“When I entered the King’s chamber,” she will later say, “I recognized him among the others by the advice of the voice that revealed him to me.”
She stops in front of Charles and bows. “God give you long life, gentle Dauphin,” she says.
“What is your name?” he asks. “And what do you want?”
“I am called Jehanne the Maiden and, through me, the King of Heaven directs that thou be anointed and crowned at Reims, and be the lieutenant of the King of Heaven.” Now Charles and all of the courtiers are silent.
‘I am telling thee,” she continues, “from My Lord, that thou art the true heir to France, and the King’s son. And He sent me to thee to take you to Reims to be crowned and anointed, if such is thy will.”
No one has spoken thus to Charles before, no one has put to rest in such definite terms his harrowing doubts about his parentage and the validity of his claims to the crown. Charles then takes Jehanne aside and they have a very long talk. (...)
Read more.
A reader's comment makes it clear that Jehanne was not the victim of some psychosis. She had no symptoms of those illnesses that include the possibility of hearing voices. Furthermore, she had vital information that no one could have known without some divine intervention.
I should bring this post back to the homepage on May 31, 2011, the 580th anniversary of her death.
Labels: Christianity, History, Joan of Arc, Resistance
posted by tiberge @ 11:40 PM
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5 Comments:
At her trial she confounded her learned and well bred accusers who were unable to best her in courtroom debate. This caused much consternation. She was an extraordinary woman and a beacon.
We need her now.
@ tiberge
Yes, I believe completely the divine nature of her experiences, though that Dauphin turned out to be less than she would have hoped, shamefully abandoning her to the English. (please do not associate my pseudonym with that one!)
I remember a wonderful comment by an American woman reader of your blog, saying how she regretted the France of a young country girl who had sacrificed herself for someone not worthy, to serve a higher purpose. My citation is probably clumsy and a bit off, so I wish I could remember when it was, but it was so well said. Do you remember it?
@ dauphin,
I don't remember the comment, but I will try to find it. If I do, I'll post a comment. As the anonymous comment above says, "we need her now". Someone has to reasure the French people that they are worthy and that they are legitimate as a nation with a specific character and culture. In 1429 it was just the Dauphin, today it is more than half the population.
@ tiberge
Thank you. I seem to remember the image of Notre-Dame at top of the post if that is any help. Yes, Jehanne is needed indeed and I pray to her for her intercession.
The France of Joan of Arc was Catholic and Monarchist. In fact, until the murder of King Louis XVI the nation was monarchical and Christian; the nation was also Caucasian. The reign of terror destroyed that France and the France of today is exactly like America. The French talk of this unique "Frenchness"; what is that?? The Jacobian state of liberty, equality and fraternity?? What sweet revenge on the ancestors of those who destroyed the monarchy and the primacy of the Church! Now LIVE with the "utopia" you created!!
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