Jeanne D'Arc 1412 - 1431

Born the 6th of January 1412, and was burned as a heretic, May 30th, 1431, she was Canonised as a saint, May 16th, 1920.   "Saint Joan of Arc" she is most commonly called, or simply "Joan of Arc".  There is certainly much myth and legend  surrounding this individual.  The book by V. Sackville-West does much to help clear the mist.

The impression placed on the cover of my issue is shown above.  It was printed by the Country Life Press, Garden City, N.Y., 1936.  It shows an angle blowing a trumpet, and carrying a flag full of the fleurs-de-lis [symbol of France].  There is a sword angled across the knees.  The French symbol above the trumpet, above the sword...what a image.

Inside the book is a clearer imprint of this image.

It was in the context of "The Hundred Years' War" that finds Joan in the mist of history.  The author present a careful analysis of this figure in this context.  From the beginning to the end it is a story to be told and retold.  This book is a delight and a honest record of the literature of the time. [A detailed chronological table and bibliography it is.]  Come, blow the trumpet.

The Hundred Years War

The reign of Edward III begins 1337.    It was the same year that Philip VI of France took over the English head Duchy of Guyenne.  Oops...you might say...then Edward III claimed the throne of France.  Then began a long, long, struggle between France and England resulting in what has been called: "The Hundred Years War".  For the genealogist, a century is generally three to four generations of the family tree that must have been involved along the way.  The Welsh had something to do with period of history since the "long-bow" was Welsh.

The text above by Desmond Seward is a very readable book about this time in our JONES family tree.  The English in France 1337 - 1453 is the subtitle.  There is even a description of the "long-bow" pp. 54-55 and other types of weapons used.  The book was first published in 1978, and reprinted by Penguin Books in 1999.  A series of illustrations are used throughout the book which gives help to the visual learner.  A "Chronology" is given on pp. 271 - 273 which was helpful for my own tree climbing experience. [Joan of Arc had something to say about this period of history!]  A sweeping overview it is.