Reading Passages, Joan of Arc, Jeanne d'Arc

Introduction:

Joan of Arc, Jeanne d'Arc

Joan of Arc, also known as Jeanne d'Arc, was a young peasant girl from France who played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War between France and England. She claimed to have received divine guidance from saints and heard voices urging her to fight for the French cause. Joan's story is one of bravery, faith, and resilience, and it has inspired countless people throughout history.

Early Life: Joan was born in 1412 in Domrémy, a small village in northeastern France. She was the youngest of five children, and her parents were farmers. Joan grew up during a time of turmoil in France, as the Hundred Years' War was raging, and the country was torn apart by rival factions. Despite these challenges, Joan was a devout Catholic and was deeply committed to her faith.

Divine Calling: When Joan was 13, she began to have visions of saints who told her that she was chosen by God to lead the French army to victory. These visions continued for several years, and Joan became convinced that she had a divine mission. In 1428, she traveled to the town of Vaucouleurs to ask for permission to speak to the Dauphin, the heir to the French throne. Despite initial skepticism, Joan eventually convinced the Dauphin to allow her to lead an army against the English.

Military Campaigns: In 1429, Joan led a small army to the city of Orléans, which had been under siege by the English for months. Joan's arrival inspired the French soldiers, and they were able to break the siege and win a decisive victory. This was followed by several more victories, and Joan became a national hero. However, she was eventually captured by the English and put on trial for heresy.

Trial and Execution: Joan's trial was a sham, and she was found guilty of heresy and witchcraft. In May 1431, she was burned at the stake in Rouen, a city in northern France. She was only 19 years old at the time of her death. Joan's bravery and faith during her trial and execution inspired many people, and she was later canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Conclusion: Joan of Arc's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that one person can have on history. Despite being a young, uneducated peasant girl, she was able to inspire an army and change the course of a war. Her faith and courage in the face of adversity continue to inspire people today, and she is remembered as a symbol of French patriotism and heroism.

Joan of Arc, Jeanne d'Arc Anchor Text #2

Introduction: Joan of Arc was a young girl from France who played a big part in a long war between France and England called the Hundred Years' War. She was brave, strong, and had a lot of faith. Her story is amazing and inspiring, even for kids like you!

Early Life: Joan was born in a small village in France in 1412. She was the youngest of five children, and her parents were farmers. She loved going to church and was very religious. France was going through a tough time during her childhood, and there were a lot of fights between different groups of people.

Divine Calling: When Joan was a teenager, she started hearing voices. She believed these were messages from God, telling her to help France win the war. Joan felt very strongly that she had a special mission and wanted to help her country.

Military Campaigns: Joan traveled to meet the prince who would become the king of France. She convinced him to let her lead an army to fight against the English. Joan was only 17 at the time, but she was a great leader. She led her soldiers to many victories, and she became a hero in France.

After convincing the Dauphin (the French prince who would later become King Charles VII) to allow her to lead an army, Joan of Arc set out to Orléans, a city that had been under siege by the English for months. With her banner, which bore the image of the Crucifixion and the words "Jesus, Maria," Joan led her soldiers to victory, and the English lifted their siege on the city.

Joan continued to lead her troops in several more battles, including the Battle of Patay, which was a decisive French victory. Her leadership and bravery in battle inspired her troops and gave them renewed hope for victory against the English.

Despite her many successes, Joan's military career was not without its setbacks. She was wounded during a battle in Paris and was forced to retreat. Later, she was captured by the English and was put on trial for heresy.

But even in captivity, Joan remained strong and defiant. She refused to renounce her belief in the divine visions that had led her to fight for France. Despite a lack of evidence against her, she was found guilty and sentenced to death by burning at the stake.

Joan of Arc's military campaigns were short but significant. She led French troops to several victories and played a key role in turning the tide of the Hundred Years' War in France's favor. Her leadership and bravery have inspired generations of people, and she is remembered as a symbol of French patriotism and heroism.

Trial and Execution: Sadly, Joan was eventually captured by the English and was put on trial. The trial was unfair, and she was found guilty of things she didn't do. Joan was put to death in 1431 when she was only 19 years old. But even though she died, her courage and faith inspired many people.

Conclusion: Joan of Arc is remembered as a brave and strong young woman who helped France during a difficult time. Her story is a reminder that even when things are tough, one person can make a big difference. Joan's courage and determination have inspired people for hundreds of years, and she remains a symbol of hope and inspiration today.

The Horrible Facts About the Hundred Years' War:

• It's important to note that vaccines did not exist during the Hundred Years' War, as they were not developed until centuries later. However, there are some interesting facts related to health and medicine during the time of the war.
• One of the biggest killers during the Hundred Years' War was not the enemy on the battlefield, but rather disease. Soldiers lived in cramped and unsanitary conditions, making them susceptible to a variety of illnesses. One disease that was particularly devastating was the bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death. The plague killed millions of people across Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries, including soldiers on both sides of the war.
• Another major health concern during the war was the lack of medical knowledge and technology. Surgeons were often called upon to treat injured soldiers, but their techniques were often crude and ineffective. Amputation was a common treatment for injuries, but without modern anesthesia or proper sanitation, the procedure was incredibly painful and carried a high risk of infection.
• Despite the lack of medical knowledge and resources, there were some notable advancements made during the Hundred Years' War. For example, the first recorded use of a surgical needle to close wounds was made during the war. Additionally, there were some efforts to improve hygiene and sanitation in military camps, which helped to prevent the spread of disease.
• While the Hundred Years' War was certainly a difficult and challenging time for soldiers and civilians alike, it also paved the way for important advancements in medicine and public health that would help to improve the lives of people in the centuries to come.

Joan of Arc, Jeanne d'Arc Anchor Text #3

Introduction:
Joan of Arc is a historical figure known for her bravery, faith, and leadership during the Hundred Years' War. She was a young girl from France who claimed to receive divine messages from God, which led her to play a pivotal role in the war. Despite being captured and put on trial, she remains a symbol of hope and inspiration to people around the world. This expository text will explore Joan of Arc's life, achievements, and legacy in detail.

Body:

Joan of Arc was born in a small village in France in 1412. She was the youngest of five children, and her family was poor. As a child, Joan was deeply religious and attended church regularly. France was at war with England during her childhood, and the conflict would shape her life in many ways.

When Joan was a teenager, she started hearing voices that she believed were messages from God. These voices told her that she had a special mission to help France win the war. Joan felt compelled to act on these messages, and she traveled to meet the Dauphin (the French prince who would later become King Charles VII) to convince him to let her lead an army.

Joan was only 17 at the time, but she proved to be a skilled and fearless leader. She led her soldiers to several victories, including the lifting of the English siege on the city of Orléans. Her leadership and bravery in battle inspired her troops and gave them hope for victory against the English.

Despite her successes, Joan's military career was short-lived. She was eventually captured by the English and put on trial for heresy. The trial was unfair, and she was found guilty and sentenced to death by burning at the stake. However, her legacy would live on long after her death.

Joan of Arc remains an important figure in French history and culture. Her bravery and determination in the face of adversity continue to inspire people around the world. She is also remembered for her role in turning the tide of the Hundred Years' War in France's favor, as well as for her religious convictions and faith.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Joan of Arc was a remarkable young woman who left an indelible mark on history. Her life and achievements continue to be studied and celebrated to this day. Joan's unwavering faith, bravery, and leadership in the face of adversity make her an inspiring figure for people of all ages and backgrounds. Her legacy serves as a reminder that one person can make a difference in the world, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Joan of Arc, Jeanne d'Arc Anchor Text #4

In 1429, during the Hundred Years' War between England and France, the city of Orléans was under siege by the English army. The French were desperate to regain control of the city, which was a key strategic location, and the king ordered the army to launch an attack. Accompanying the French troops was a 17-year-old peasant girl named Joan of Arc.

Despite her lack of military training or experience, Joan believed that she had been chosen by God to lead the French army to victory. She had been hearing voices and having visions of saints and angels since she was a young girl, and she believed that they were sending her a divine message to drive the English out of France.

To avoid being recognized as a woman, Joan cropped her hair short like a man's and donned a suit of white armor. She became an inspiration to the French troops, who were impressed by her bravery and conviction. She led several successful battles against the English, including the siege of Orléans in March 1429, which ended in a French victory.

During the battle, Joan was wounded by an arrow, but she refused to leave the field and continued to lead the troops to victory. Her success at Orléans marked a turning point in the war and boosted French morale. Over the next few months, she led the French army to several more victories, including the Battle of Patay, where the English suffered a devastating defeat.

However, Joan's success was short-lived. She was captured by the English in 1430 and put on trial for heresy. She was accused of dressing like a man, claiming to have been sent by God, and performing miracles. Despite her passionate defense, she was found guilty and burned at the stake in 1431. She was only 19 years old.

Joan of Arc remains a symbol of French resistance and courage to this day. Her story has been the subject of countless books, movies, and works of art, and she was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1920. Her bravery and conviction continue to inspire people around the world.