A History of Royals discussion

I know Joan of Arc isn't actually royalty but she did influence the lives of the French monarchs and a few people have mentioned her to me so I thought I'd give her a thread of her own.

Saint Joan of Arc (ca. 1412[2:] – 30 May 1431) is a national heroine of France and a Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, claiming divine guidance, and was indirectly responsible for the coronation of Charles VII. She was captured by the Burgundians, sold to the English, tried by an ecclesiastical court, and burned at the stake when she was nineteen years old.[3:] Twenty-four years later, on the initiative of Charles VII, who could not possibly afford being seen as having been brought to power with the aid of a condemned heretic, Pope Callixtus III reviewed the decision of the ecclesiastical court, found her innocent, and declared her a martyr

The Hundred Years' War was a prolonged conflict lasting from 1337 to 1453 between two royal houses for the French throne, which was vacant with the extinction of the senior Capetian line of French kings. The two primary contenders were the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet, also known as the House of Anjou. The House of Valois claimed the title of King of France, while the Plantagenets from England claimed to be Kings of France and England. Plantagenet Kings were the 12th century rulers of the Kingdom of England, and had their roots in the French regions of Anjou and Normandy. French soldiers fought on both sides, with Burgundy and Aquitaine providing notable support for the Plantagenet side.

I am very much wanting to read Mark Twain's Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

Me too, I love Twain. He is probably my favorite author of all time.

Off topic kind of, I like MT but I hated Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. I recently listened to TAoHF on audio book and found myself wanting to box those two boys ears.

Does anyone know if MT's Joan of Arc and Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc are two seperate books or if one is a reprint of the other?

I'm pretty sure they're the same book.

I've read that Twain thought his book on Joan was his best work.

Have you read it Misfit?

Jennifer wrote: "Have you read it Misfit?"

Nope, I have to build up my courage. I think it's not going to be an easy read.

The only time I've come across Joan in a novel is in Vainglory, and she's only a minor character in the very first part of the book. Have to admit there's a lot more to her story.

Misfit - Do you have a hard time with Twain? He is by far my favorite writer of all time, and I have every book he has ever written, been to his house in Connecticut, etc. It's been years, though since I read Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc. I think I will dig it out next year to re-read.

Lynn, I've read Twain when I was young and reread Connecticut (sp?) Yankee a few years ago and loved it. I think I have this perception that his book on Joan will be a heavy slog - can't recall if someone told me or where I got that impression.

I haven't read either of them but I want to. I'm especially wanting to read Connecticut Yankee!

There are a couple of fiction books about Joan:

An Army of Angels by Pamela Mercantel (be forwarned - there are some not very nice things that happend to Joan and she's not always a likeable person)

Joan of the Lilies by Maureen Peters (out of print)

Epitaph for Three Women by Jean Plaidy (this is is about three women who played a part in the life of Henry VI - Joan is one of them and about a third of the book is devoted to her).

Tanith Lee wrote Saint Fire which is based on Joan of Arc.

There is also (non fic) Joan of Arc and Joan of Arc The Image of Female Heroism

And there is, of course, the play that helped George Bernard Shaw win the Nobel in literature: Saint Joan.

There's another novel out there that makes her the daughter of Yolande of Aragon by the Constable de Richmont. I actually read it but it annoyed me so much I put in in a charity bag and can't recall either author or title. It wasn't just about Joan but about the era.

Brian, I read that one too. Whilst it was interesting to see the women centred around King Charles - the "Joan story" was rather unbelievable. Too much time was devoted to some women and not enough to others.

I know that Twain did write a book titled Joan of Arc - the "Recollections" was a title for a different edition.

Brian, I read that one too. Whilst it was interesting to see the women centred around King Charles - the "Joan story" was rather unbelievable. Too much time was devoted to some women and not enough to others."

Is that The King's Women by Deryn Lake? I have it on my wish list at Paperback Swap.

Susan, yes that's the one!

I think I can be patient and wait for it then!

there is also the book by Jules Michelet:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31...

anyone have read it? I studied Michelet's work a quite long time ago but I don't remember if I have read this book. Anyway, it's a classical French book.

Melisende is correct, Recollections of Joan of Arc, and Joan of Arc are the same book, just different additions .

Laura wrote: "there is also the book by Jules Michelet:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31...

anyone have read it? I studied Michelet's work a quite long time ago but I don't remember if I have..."

I read it in grad school (historiography, I think). Interesting book.

well, another good reason to re-read it then....

I think I wrote a paper on it called "His Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart."

and do you still have this paper Susanna?? I will be glad to read it...

Another book on Joan worth reading Tom Keneally's "Blood Red, Sister Rose" - explores the relationship between Joan and Giles de Rais (Bluebeard).

Laura wrote: "and do you still have this paper Susanna?? I will be glad to read it..."

Oh golly! I shouldn't think so. I was still using typewriters, it was that long ago!

Susanna wrote: "Laura wrote: "and do you still have this paper Susanna?? I will be glad to read it..."

Oh golly! I shouldn't think so. I was still using typewriters, it was that long ago!"

at least, I tried!! LOL

Seems like this is a topic that is under-served in the historical genre. I've recently become interested in Joan but would prefer a good fiction rather tha non-fiction...*sigh*

Thalia, have you read Blood Red, Sister Rose?

Gosh that's an old one. I've never read it. Hope I can find it, lol

There is a new book coming out in October - The Maid by Kimberly Cutter.

Thalia wrote: "Gosh that's an old one. I've never read it. Hope I can find it, lol"

Thalia, I have a copy which I got from BM. I may send to you if you want. If so, please send me a private message with your postal address.

Tanzanite wrote: "There is a new book coming out in October - The Maid by Kimberly Cutter."

I have an advance copy via Net Galley and about half way through. I'm finding it a bit on the dry side, there's just no life or passion in this Joan.

Hey guys. I actually came here to start a thread, but I see Jennifer already started one. With all the Joan of Arc sightings in books lately (Ann Easter Smith..Philippa Gregory) to name a few, I was curious what you guys really think of Joan. I just watched the movie The Messenger (which I forwarded through half of.)I think in her head she believed what she preached and what she went after, but I don't feel she was sent from God to fight for France or so she believed or that she could see into the future. Just curious about your guys thoughts? I hope my opinion doesn't offend anyone.

I honestly believe that she THOUGHT she spoke to God/had special insight. Now, while this may or may not be true and can be debated on the same level as someone like Jesus (some believe he was the Messiah, while others think he was just "some dude", while yet others don't believe he existed at all); I DO think that regardless of having a "gift" or not, she was an amazing young lady. What I find fascinating about martyrs is their conviction. You don't meet many young ladies who would die for their religious beliefs now-a-days. At least not in the US (perhaps in the Middle East). Long story short, I don't know if she was full of bologna or not, but I don't care. I think she was amazing young lady merely for the fact that she DID start controversary, create debate, and is still remembered. More than I have done!

Especially in those times!

exactly!

Joan was an extraordinary figure; I have not decided if I think she was mad or inspired.

Susanna wrote: "Joan was an extraordinary figure; I have not decided if I think she was mad or inspired."

I do agree with you Susanna!!

As soon as I get some time, I need to read up on her. She has always fascinated me.

What is the really crazy part of her death is officially she was put to death for wearing men's clothing after repenting her sins. She apologised and confessed that she wore men's clothing and would not do so again. Before she was let out, officials came to her cell and she was wearing men's clothes again. Then they burned her at the stake for her sins.
There is a beautiful building on the site of where she was burned in Rouen. It looks like flames.

April, I'd like to see that. Sounds like a beautiful building in her memory.

I went to the library yesterday and picked up a copy of The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc. Has anyone else read this? I'm starting it today!

Another book with Joan as a character is A serpent amongst the lilies by Paul Doherty. It is also an older book but good

Kit wrote: "I went to the library yesterday and picked up a copy of The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc. Has anyone else read this? I'm starting it today!"

Yes, I read it in April. 3 stars. You may see my review at: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Great review,Orsolya! I'm 88 pages into the book-had to check the chart at back several times-to keep up with the royals! I'm glad I found it, its worth reading. :D

Thanks! :) It wasn't exactly what I expected but it wasn't bad, either. I like Goldstone's writing style.

Orsolya wrote: "Thanks! :) It wasn't exactly what I expected but it wasn't bad, either. I like Goldstone's writing style."

Me, too. I recently read her book

The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily. I enjoyed it! :D