Domrémy, the birthplace of Jeanne d’Arc
Pin # 2
This pin is for Domrémy, the birthplace of Jeanne d’Arc, or as she is known in English, Joan of Arc.
Our family took a day trip to the birthplace and home of Joan of Arc, Domrémy, in northeastern France. I remember a basket full of baguettes on the bus for lunch and returning home with a glow-in-the-dark Joan of Arc statue. After the visit, I talked to the statue at night and put her under my pillow. I loved that statue and developed a love for this Maid d’Orléans from that play. And even at that young age, her story of hearing voices from God and burning at the stake left an impression.
I was surprised when, years later, two of my students wanted to write a report on her. From childhood memory, I had no idea this Maid was a heroine revered by young women today. She is admired for her bravery and audacity in getting access to help a future King of France and for taking it for granted that her visions were essential and authentic that, for a short, significant time, the right people believed her And believed in her mission.
While that statue was essential to me as a child, I now understand that she was crucial to helping France regain its independence. While some doubted her, thankfully for her, two soldiers believed her when she discussed her “vis” ons “e” piece” lly when she could describe a battle before it occurred. They took her to Charles, the disinherited rightful king of France. Charles was exiled from his country during the Hundred Years’ War in England.
She was dressed as a boy in armor and taken to Charles. She was only a teenager when she was sent, and he was a young man in his twenties. He also believed she was genuine when she shared visions about his inmost thoughts, which he only shared with God, or so my research revealed.
I had no idea that this pin on the Bavarian hat and this childhood memory was so important—historically and personally.
Joan of Arc led the French soldiers to victory against the odds and eventually escorted Charles to be inaugurated as King Charles VII in 1429 at Reims. This is what her visions told her needed to be done.
I have that a new movie will be made soon, adding to the several already made about this inspiring woman who had visions and, just as importantly, was believed. This is the part that intrigues me and satisfies me the most.