Saint Joan of Arc

[Andruschak]

Yes, today is the Feast of the patron Saint of France, as well as all soldiers. Tortured, raped, and burned at the stake by the English. Another one of those persons who single-handedly changed the course of history. One wonders how France would have developed, or even united, without her efforts.

 

[SPQR]

I saw something a little while ago that showed (among other alarming things) that 12% of Americans believe she was also Noah’s wife.

 

[LilyM]

I saw something a little while ago that showed (among other alarming things) that 12% of Americans believe she was also Noah’s wife.

Give those 12% credit for having a sense of humour and giving a smart-alecky answer to a stupid question

Of course there are some historical revisionists who point to the fact that English power and effectiveness in France was somewhat disintegrating anyway - especially after the untimely death of the great Henry V who left only a baby son to succeed him and a much-less effective brother governing in the meantime. But I’ve always liked and admired Joan too much to buy into that.

 

[puzzleannie]

she is my Confirmation saint, and I have read quite a bit about her, but never that she was raped. Being burned at the stake as a heretic for political reasons was bad enough.

 

[LilyM]

she is my Confirmation saint, and I have read quite a bit about her, but never that she was raped. Being burned at the stake as a heretic for political reasons was bad enough.

Didn’t catch the bit about the rape either - I’ve read accounts of her trial, she never said any such thing, and she would have I think if it had happened.

Although she feared it, as any girl imprisoned among enemy soldiers probably would (which is probably why she refused to stop wearing male clothing).