The Medieval Podcast Joan of Arc with Deborah McGrady
Aug 21, 2025
Danièle talks with Deborah McGrady, a Professor of French and expert on Joan of Arc, about this captivating figure of the Middle Ages. They discuss Joan’s divine visions and her rise during the Hundred Years' War, showcasing her tactical genius at the Siege of Orléans. McGrady highlights the complexities of Joan's letters and her fraught relationship with King Charles, as well as the biases in her trial. The conversation also touches on Joan's evolving legacy, from a martyr to a symbol of feminine strength, emphasizing her enduring cultural impact.
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Reims Crowning And Diverging Goals
- The Reims coronation succeeded in legitimizing Charles but marginalized Joan from court roles.
- After Reims, Joan and Charles's aims diverged: she pushed for Paris while he avoided it.
Joan Acts Independently
- Joan left without royal sanction to press for Paris and wrote letters opposing Charles' negotiations with Burgundy.
- She never turned against Charles personally and insisted he remained the rightful king.
Capture And Transfer To English
- Joan was captured by Burgundians, sold to the English, and then tried by the Church for heresy.
- The English pressured the ecclesiastical court to treat her harshly and Henry V warned of consequences if they did not comply.
