Joan of Arc: By Herself and Her Witnesses

by Régine Pernoud

Using historical documents and translated by Regine Pernoud, Joan of Arc seeks to answer the questions asked by Joan's contemporaries as well as us: Who was she? Whence came she? What had been her life and exploits? First published in the United States in 1966 by Stein and Day, this book reveals the historical Joan, described in contemporary documents by her allies as well as her enemies.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Religion, France, Medieval, Christianity

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Régine Pernoud (17 June 1909 in Château-Chinon, Nièvre - 22 April 1998 in Paris) was a historian and medievalist. She received an award from the Académie française. She is known for writing extensively about Joan of Arc.

Reviews

[Jan-Maat]

Joan of Arc sets the medieval world on its head. In an age in which public affairs were dominated by older, high status men, a young peasant woman inspired armies and forced France into a resurgence, is somebody who we want to know and understand. We probably can't, but books like this give us the illusion that it might just be possible. Her career in public service was terribly brief, and having been caught by the Burgundians, and handed over to the English, she was burnt to death after a trial - the medieval period was nothing if not intensely legalistic. Later, the French held a second trial which equally unsurprisingly exonerated her completely. The great strength of this book and the reason why despite it's age I thoroughly enjoyed it, is how much it draws on the material from the two trials of Joan of Arc with sizeable chunks of statements reproduced in the text. Still no major insights or transformation of understanding, more a curious sense of having been very close to a historical person.

The front cover shows a more or less contemporary marginal doodle of the maid of France herself.

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

ETA: She is my first 'favorite saint', and although she's not my patron saint, she's certainly in my top-ten of my favorites still. I've seen a film or two about her (and think the 1928 one was brilliant).

One might know the basic story, a peasant girl getting message to go to the dauphin of France, Charles VII (a man prone to apathy and some naivety, all his life) to help him gain back France to the French, ending the siege of Orleans, freeing Rheims so that the dauphin can be crowned as king, then getting captured, she is given an unfair trial, and so her burning is more of a revenge than for a real reason. Her ashes are cast in the Seine, and some years later her reputation is restored; at the beginning of 20th Century she is beatified and canonised, with July 10th becoming her feast day and national holiday.
(The English translation for this book won a prize in 1965; the French original came out in 1962.)

This book gives more: it is written from a historian's point of view, focusing on Joan as a historical person, someone who helped in restoring France back from the English. The material comes from her trial and rehabilitation interviews, both of which provide a mass of matarial that easily help give us the proof of her life. There is also material from letters, both from the English side and the French.
(There is also a photo section in the middle of the book, though it is in black and white: statues, paintings, manuscripts, pages, letters, illustrations. Each chapter comes with author's commentary on certain details and errors that some claims have; the last chapter also has the conclusion.)

There are some things that were new to me, like the acceptance of bastards (Joan *wasn't* one though), or that Joan got a marriage proposal before the time she left to meet the dauphin. I wonder a little if Maupassant's book "Pierre And Jean" had some inspiration from Joan's brothers being Pierre and Jean! Joan did know how to ride a horse from her childhood times of taking horses to drink, though some training to ride a war horse must've happened a bit.
I think part of the reason why she was believed and helped in starting her conquest was that people did believe in God and his miracles much more back then - now it would be harder for her to convince people as easily.
She is indirectly mentioned in one of Christine De Pisan's last poems :)
That 'Maid Of Orleans' is a later name for her (16th/17th Century), in her lifetime she was 'The Maid'. And finding what the 'free-lancer' originally was... Her family was ennobled by the king, and Greux and Domremy were freed from taxes until Revolution.
Not surprised that there were false-Joans afterwards, it's been such a case for some other figures (like Princess Anastasia).

The conclusion is also good: the author states that she is working from presenting-facts historian point of view; there's no writer's own personal fancies here. And it feels like that - the religious parts are not the point for this book (others can do that just fine), so even if one doesn't believe at all, this book gives a good view on the historical person who really did many brave things to help the dauphin and king to claim back France from the conquering English. There is much text, but at no point I felt as if this was heavy going. Finally finished, a good time reading happened. Recommended for anyone interested.

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some might find the lack of investigation here excruciating, since it is St. Joan we're talking about, but Pernoud's book, collecting all the known firsthand testimony and eyewitness accounts available, shears the history down to Joan's own words and that of her contemporaries. This is the kind of history I like, streamlined, just-the-facts-as-we-have-them, without any unnecessary psychological bullshit involved (Joan as schizophrenic; Joan as psilocybin hopper). It can be a little tedious, especially the details on the various, confusing marches and battles and sieges, but you get Joan as she was, an everyday girl from bumfuck France who had haunting visions and decided to act on them, unlike most folks.

[Cara (Wilde Book Garden) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to have read this - reading Joan’s own words (in translation, but still) is an extremely powerful experience.

And I appreciate the way Pernoud lets Joan and her witnesses speak in their own words, then offers commentary where she is very clear about sources and why she is drawing a conclusion, etc.

The historical elements are clearly laid out and explained (this is probably the best explanation of the Burgundian/Armagnac conflict I’ve seen) and the book itself is thoroughly grounded in good scholarship.

Joan’s life and heart and even hints at her personality shine brightly in this work - and I am still amazed at the people who describe her as simple or not clever in matters besides warfare: her answers to her questioners (as is pointed out by several witnesses) were very often nothing short of brilliant. And the flashes of humor from her were a wonderful surprise in the midst of the terrible trial.

There were occasionally parts of the book that I think could have been summarized more (some of the battle movements, for example) but I definitely understand their importance, and for every section like that there were many more that were incredibly compelling.

Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in St. Joan of Arc.

CW: War, execution, references to rape

[Mshelton50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Régine Pernoud's Joan of Arc: By Herself and Her Witnesses is an extremely well-written and researched history of Joan, as revealed in the proceedings of Joan's 1430-31 trial of condemnation and the subsequent 1456 trial of rehabilitation. The book is not terribly long, but it is thorough, and Pernoud knows the original documents exceedingly well. From the various testimonies, it is possible to hear from Joan's childhood friends and acquaintances, her military colleagues, and those who witnessed her trial and death. Even a humanist will be moved by the meteoric career of this village maiden who, in her one year of public fame, saved France from disaster in the Hundred Years' War. To paraphrase Mark Twain, Joan's story is the only time in history when the armed forces of a country fighting for its survival were entrusted to an untried 17-yr.-old, of any gender. The story of her end is deeply affecting. I highly recommend this book.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely great book. sticks to the facts, especially dealing with the two trials.

[Michael Gietl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading Joan of Arc by Herself and Her Witnesses, I read two other books on Joan of Arc. I thought when I glanced through this book and saw it was a collection of quotes, it was going to be a dry read. How wrong I was. First of all, I gained a great respect for Regine Pernoud, who may be the greatest authority in the history of the world on Joan of Arc. Her whole life was studying and working at museums and she started The Joan of Arc Institute in Orleans. You can be sure if it is in Regine’s book it is true because everything is supported by historical documents. The quote from the Saturday Review on the cover says, “One feels closer to Joan in these pages than in any of the modern biographies.” I agree.

The quotes not only tell the story, but inject emotion, fervor, and elation at the successes of Joan, plus the admiration and appreciation from those she helped. With the victories in battle, we think of Joan as the steel woman immune to sensitivity. Not so. When she had an archer shoot a letter demanding surrender into the English bastion outside of Orleans,” they began to utter great shouts, saying, ‘News of the Armagnacs' whore!’ At these words Joan began to sigh and weep copious tears calling the King of Heaven to her aid”

She devoutly followed her faith and demanded virtue of her troops. On the Feast of the Ascension she would make no war “out of respect for the Feast. And that day she wished to confess and to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist, which she did. And that day she commanded that no man should dare on the morrow go out of the city to assault or attack if they had not first been to confession.”

Still Joan was tough. She predicted she would be wounded during the assault on the Tourelles and she was struck by an arrow above the breast. The arrow was pulled out and the wound treated with lard and olive oil. The battle had gone on all day and it was evening. The Bastard of Orleans wanted to sound a retreat. She asked him to wait, went on her horse to a nearby vineyard to pray and returned to renew the attack. When the English saw her back in the battle, “they trembled and were terrified”. The Tourelles fell to Joan that evening.

The quotes telling the story are laced with emotion making the book anything but boring. Joan was captured after a year of fighting to free France from the English. She spent the next year in captivity during which the trial of condemnation takes place. All rules were broken. Joan received no counsel. She should have been held in a convent and guarded by women instead of a civil prison and guarded by men. Joan by herself held off the prosecutors consisting of 52 and more learned men for 4 months. One witness said she answered better than the learned men prosecuting her could. After endless trap questions which Joan answered very well, the main inquisitor, Pierre Cauchon, who promised the English a beautiful trial, couldn’t find legitimate reason to condemn Joan for heresy so had to settle for cross dressing. She was burnt at the stake. Regine quotes several witnesses describing Joan’s last minutes. At least four said her last words were calling out the name of Jesus. No one said she cried out or screamed in pain. Regine doesn’t say this and we can’t know unless we get to heaven, but I believe that was because Jesus was there for her and she saw Him.

The story comes to a conclusion with the rehabilitation trial. Witnesses from all over gave testimony and the condemnation was reversed and later Joan was canonized a saint in the Church. The irony is Joan is declared a saint and according to Wikipedia, Cauchon was posthumously excommunicated from the Church by Pope Callistus III

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan of Arc is one of my all-time heroes. This is a biography of her life, as well as an interesting history of the strife of the times. It has been a while since I've read, and most know the story of Joan of Arc, but I will say that this book was an interesting illustration of her character. Not only was she deeply religious, but she was fiercely patriotic and loyal to her people and country. This biography follows her through times of triumph and success and great popularity, and into the days of her betrayal and abandonment and inprisonment. One can only imagine how alone this young girl must have felt when her quest became despised and she was deserted by those she had so courageously fought for. You can put yourself in her situation in this biography... in prison for heresy because she was not willing to deny her right to personal revelation. In the end, they broke her and she confessed to the charges. But before she died she did retract her confession. All of these years later, the Catholic church has finally vindicated her and issued apology for her execution. In a time when so few female heroines really have much substance or even think about their souls... in a time when our most iconic literary character's ultimate dichotomy is "This boy or that boy", the story of Joan of Arc is an example of a young woman who trusted her judgment and saw her true purpose in fighting for right.

[Jaime K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book that details Joan of Arc's life from when she determined she needed to help her country to her death.

The first chapter confused me until the commentary at the end with R.# and C.#. It is only afterwards that I learn that C. stands for her trial of Condemnation (detailed in ch 7) and R. stands for the trial of rehabilitation 25 years later (detailed in ch. 9).
But I really appreciate the commentary at the end of each chapter along with Pernoud's own information throughout the chapters.

The information that kept me interested was given through the trials, when it was question/answer with side notes versus the historical information otherwise.

Pernoud explains how Joan wasn't illegitimate.
We learn when Joan first saw St. Michael and how he moved her to help her King.
Pernoud provides info from historical documents to debunk common myths about Joan.

A lot of women were called to testify for Joan, which is great.
Soldiers respected her because of her sincerity and morals.

Pernoud takes us through an abbreviated version of the siege of Orleans and how Joan safely led the king to Rheins to be crowned. Then her involvement in the war after.

On the trial of Condemnation:
- Joan was asked asinine questions about what God thinks
- She was treated awfully, including with the fact that her words were twisted in the dictation.
- It shows how she was a political prisoner being tried for "heresy" in an abnormal way.

The trial of rehabilitation refuted the original charges and led to her beatification centuries later.

[Dylan Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is historically correct and one of the best books on the Savior of France, Jeanne d’Arc. This book contains what was said, and written down during Joan’s trials, taking place in France and ending in Rouen, Normandy in the early 1400’s.
This book also goes over the story of Joan of Arc at a young age and describing who she was as a person and also at a later age. Her victories, how Joan helped successfully crowning dauphin Charles VII of France, and how she was later captured and put into the trials which would decide her fate. As history goes, the Holy Maiden Joan was sent to an early and painful death at the stake, because of the trials that took place in Rouen. I personally really enjoy learning about history, and Joan of Arc’s story, just her as a historical figure is one of my favorites to learn about, this book helps give more answers than reading any basic online article regarding her life. The book also stays in the line of things only seen by eyewitnesses, with nothing much said about any religious “super powers,” such as Joan claiming to hear the voices of two Saints, though mentioned in the book. The book keeps the reader interested, and informs you on how things were done and thought of back then, how the trial was organized and how other political aspects were done as well. The book overall is a fantastic read, and helps answer questions one had about Joan’s life.

[Andrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan of Arc is one of the historical figures I have a particular fascination with and I regularly seem to come back to her story under various incarnations. When I heard about this book of Regine Pernoud’s, I immediately wanted to read it because it contains the actual words Joan spoke at her trial along with eyewitness accounts of her life and times.

If there is one book I would recommend to anyone who wants to know more about Joan, it would be this one. It might be a bit on the dry side for some, but it is rich in authentic and surprising details and rarely interprets the events, but rather lets the facts and documents speak for themselves. It creates perhaps the most compelling and humane portrait of Joan, beyond her legend, sainthood or detractions, to the strong willed country girl that through her relentless faith and courage lead troops into battle, raised sieges and helped crown a king.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

AIn this book, Joan is presented through her own words and those of her times, so primary historcial documents. The author sets the stage a bit but largely lets the documents speak for themselves. There are nine chapters each ending with a commentary of the sources and counter views. The book includes a translater's note, an introduction, the nine chapters, an index. and a collection of photos of some of the sculture, portraits, and manuscripts of the persons and texts. Though perhaps not necessary, a concluding note would have been welcome.

I found this book to be a nice balance in historical presentation, commentary, and argument. This book contributes richly to a balanced understanding of Joan and her tumultuous period.

Highly recommended to those interested in Joan of Arc, this period of history, and historical method.

[Marcia Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This remarkable book is a work of great scholarship, derived from actual historical documentation which the author discovered in many locations and in varying conditions of legibility. Originally written in French, the careful English translation is at once powerful and heartbreaking.

The short but meaningful life of the peasant girl Joan of Arc is well-known, but in this book, readers can experience the actual words and conversations, experiences and struggles, of the Maid and her retinue in fifteenth-century France during the Hundred Years War. That said, it was a challenging read, since it includes so many characters (French and English) who feared Joan, cruelly denigrated her, tortured her, and ultimately conspired to burn her alive. I hadn't known that after she had been consumed by fire, her ashes and any remaining fragments of her were gathered and thrown into the Seine.

[Karis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course, I had to finish this book on the last day of Women's History Month.

This book really painted an honest, historical perspective on one of Catholicism's most famous saints. There was a lot me here I never heard about her growing up, like how brilliant she was (i.e., calling out her persecutors for asking the same questions over and over) or that she was prone to being terrified and scared (she tried to escape her imprisonment, and she stated on multiple occasions that, despite having such strong convictions in God, she was afraid to die). It really humanized her, and it made me glad my fourteen-year-old self chose her Confirmation namesake well.

The only reason why I didn't rate this higher was because the battles were more than I thought it should be. I get why it's necessary, but I'd rather that focus be given more on Joan, instead.

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very insightful look into the life of Joan of Arc, by using Joan's own words, as well as those who knew her and were eyewitnesses to the wondrous acts she accomplished. These are translations from the original French. Very original and primary in source. I read this with Mark Twain's fictionalized (but based on years of research) Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc.
I shall leave you with this quote by Louis Kossuth, not in this book but very relevant to this work:
“Consider this unique and imposing distinction. Since the writing of human history began, Joan of Arc is the only person, of either sex, who has ever held supreme command of the military forces of a nation at the age of seventeen.”

[BigGuyJawny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pernoud excellently transfers us the story of the remarkable Joan of Arc through commentary seamlessly written in tandem great excerpts from the primary sources of her life.

Four Reasons Why I gave it Four Stars
+ Rarely do I read a biography so able to quote long passages from the primary sources and simultaneously explain context without derailing the story.
+ Pernoud’s French scholarly acumen is invaluable.
- It would have been much more fruitful for the “commentary” section to expand on each chapter rather than “debunk myths” about Joan.
+ As someone unaccustomed to the time period, I was still able to follow the complex history very well.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book that stays completely grounded in known truths to give you an honest portrayal of remarkable person. Whenever there's historical ambiguity around something Pernoud discusses, she explains the root of the ambiguity and gives you enough info to make your own judgments. It feels a bit dry at first, but after I'd gotten used to the document-based approach I got swept up several times, and I even cried at the end.

It also made me respect the 1962 movie all the more, I didn't realize how much more grounded in truth it was than the original silent movie!

[Keith Hutson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to biographies, I tend to be cautious of choosing which to read when I focus on a particular person. Honestly, there could have been no better choice than this one. This biography contains detailed accounts straight from the legendary woman, herself, as well as those around her. In a way, this biography is like looking at an object from up close with glasses as opposed to looking at a faraway object with a telescope. The finer details of her life can be seen, and Joan of Arc's personality can be clearly pictured. This is the closest I would ever get to meeting her personally.

[Forest Handford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent - If your a history buff this is the book for you! The author took the time to go through the records of her trial and rehabilitation and then translate them and put them together in a story form. This can be a dry read but it really brings out the truth. I had seen two movies about her that contradicted each other and this book helped my find the truth about Joan. If you're a history buff this is the book for you!

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good historical transcript and overview filled with interesting details and information. Read for personal research. I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring.
"Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well."
-And before being burned at the stake for her faith: "Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames." -Joan of Arc
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.

[DC · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a exemplary work in terms of historical accuracy. Felt I had to push through some endless quotes or recollections with little context or help from the author as to why that's relevant.

I can't get enough of the author's perspective on Joan and the history and _stories_ around her.
Invaluable work if you're looking through a detailed view of her history, not so much if you're for the legends.

[Emily Giuffre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true story of St. Joan of Arc, as told by the witnesses of the rehabilitation trial, 20 years after her death, by the people who knew her personally and loved her. This removes all the mysticism and skepticism about her, while never dampening the epic life she led. It's the rare exception of a true story being more fantastic then what others could make up.

[Mindy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book to read over long periods of time. It isn't to be gotten through quickly, the lessons are so dense from Joan's life. Reading about her makes you feel like you are truly reading about an angel on earth. I don't know why we never learned about her in school, this history is rich with everything good- bringing light, hope and, an assurance that God is still in charge.

[Klid · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ideal historical book; it's well researched and well organized. Pernoud presents the facts as we have them while keeping the speculation at bay. It can drag a bit due to just how thorough the information is but overall, worthwhile read if you're like me and have some sort of weird fixation on Joan of Arc.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of Jean de Arc's life from the transcripts of her ecclesiastical court proceedings. I read this with 15 youth and directed some amazing discussions about principles of liberty, God, mission, and purpose.

[Brenda Asterino]

Another book to add truth and discernment to the overwhelming evidence for the journey of Joan, the Maiden. This is the book I used the most for a paper I wrote about Joan, but the other books substantiated or added. Thank you to Regine Pernoud.

[Thom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. Lots of information.

[Vikki Gremel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written. I did not know much about the details of Joan of Arc. Fascinating. I believe she was sent by God!

[Zach Dankert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely detailed, accurate, well-put together account of Joan of Arc's life and the politics that sealed her fate.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing way to learn more about Joan of Arc. Hearing her own testimony from court records is more impactful and interesting by far than reading interpretations of her life.