A Heroine of France: The Story of Joan of Arc

In Short

Narrated by the young knight Jean de Novelpont, this historical novel follows Joan of Arc from her humble origin in Domremy to her miraculous rally of the French forces and her eventual martyrdom. As France lies crushed under English rule and internal betrayal, Joan heeds celestial voices to lead the Dauphin to his coronation at Rheims. Through vivid battle scenes and intimate courtly encounters, Evelyn Everett-Green portrays a figure of profound spiritual conviction and military instinct. The novel endures because it balances high historical drama with an eyewitness sense of wonder and tragic loss.

The Story

The narrative opens during the darkest days of the Hundred Years' War. France sits broken, crippled by the Treaty of Troyes and the lethargy of the uncrowned Dauphin, Charles, who passes his hours in idle courtly revelry while the English lay siege to Orleans. Jean de Novelpont and his friend Bertrand de Poulengy lament the death of chivalry alongside the skeptical Governor of Vaucouleurs, Robert de Baudricourt. Yet news arrives that a farm girl from Domremy, claiming to be guided by heavenly voices, has appeared in town, asserting she is divinely appointed to save the realm.

Despite Baudricourt’s initial mockery and fear of becoming a laughingstock, Joan’s serene authority wins over the garrison. Exchanging her peasant clothing for the practical garb of a male traveler, she embarks on a dangerous night-time journey through hostile territory to the royal court at Chinon. Upon arrival, she immediately singles out the disguised Dauphin from among his courtiers, delivering a private sign that convinces him of her divine mandate.

Dressed in custom white armor provided by her supporters and carrying a simple banner, Joan assumes command of the royal armies. She marches to Orleans, overriding the overly cautious tactics of veteran generals like La Hire and Dunois. Under her leadership, the demoralized French troops break the siege, capturing key English strongholds like St. Loup, Les Augustins, and Les Tourelles. Even after suffering a painful arrow wound, Joan returns to the field, inspiring her men to complete victory.

Flushed with triumph, Joan urges the hesitation-prone Dauphin to march through enemy-held territory to Rheims. Her military campaign sweeps aside resistance, culminates in the surrender of key cities, and enables Charles to be consecrated as true King of France. At the peak of her glory, Joan meets her estranged father in Rheims, longing to lay down her arms and return to her mother and her village.

However, King Charles and his advisors refuse to let her depart, exploiting her presence for further military gain even as her direct heavenly commission reaches its natural conclusion. Lacking her former certainty and sensing growing jealousy among court factions, Joan bravely continues to fight. Tragic betrayal soon follows: she is captured, abandoned by the ungrateful monarch she crowned, and subjected to a rigged heresy trial by her enemies. Jean de Novelpont witnesses her final moments at the stake in Rouen, where her unwavering faith transforms her execution into a timeless victory of the spirit.

How It Unfolds

The spark at Vaucouleurs Jean de Novelpont and Bertrand de Poulengy meet Joan as she seeks escort from the skeptical Governor de Baudricourt. After demonstrating her riding skills in boy's clothing, her quiet conviction convinces the knights to back her wild journey.

The trial at Chinon Joan travels by night to the royal court, where she instantly identifies the disguised Dauphin among a crowd of glitzy courtiers. Her private message to Charles transforms his doubt into awe, earning her the leadership of his forces.

The relief of Orleans Clad in gleaming white armor, Joan leads the army into the besieged city, accurately predicting a sudden wind change that allows crucial supply boats to pass safely. She directs fierce assaults against the English forts, taking Les Tourelles despite an arrow wound.

The march to Rheims Refusing rest, Joan pushes a hesitant court to clear the Loire valley and march deep into enemy territory. Town after town surrenders at her approach, clearing the way for the grand coronation ceremony in the cathedral.

The shadow of betrayal With Charles crowned, Joan begs to return to her home in Domremy, but the King insists she remain with the army. Stripped of her clear direct mandate and targeted by jealous courtiers, she faces mounting danger with calm resignation.

The fiery triumph Captured by her enemies and abandoned by the French court, Joan is condemned to the stake at Rouen. Jean de Novelpont looks on in grief as her tranquil, forgiving demeanor at her execution moves even her hostile captors to awe.

The People

• Joan of Arc (The Maid): A devout peasant girl from Domremy who desires only to obey her heavenly voices and deliver France from ruin. What stands in her way is the cynicism of military men, courtly intrigue, and the brutality of foreign invaders. She transforms from a simple village girl into an authoritative military leader, remaining humble and forgiving to the very end.
• Jean de Novelpont: A noble knight of the Armagnac party who seeks a miracle to rouse his fallen country. Encountering Joan at Vaucouleurs, he becomes her fierce protector and loyal chronicle-keeper, changing from a despondent observer of France's ruin into a man of deep, transformed faith.
• Bertrand de Poulengy: Jean’s comrade and kinsman to Governor de Baudricourt, who longs for the fulfillment of old prophecies. He faces the harsh skepticism of his own family, growing into one of Joan’s earliest and most steadfast champions.
• Robert de Baudricourt: The gruff Governor of Vaucouleurs who wants to preserve his reputation and avoid public ridicule. Torn between fear of heresy and fear of opposing God, he initially scoffs at Joan before relenting and granting her an escort.
• Charles, the Dauphin (later King Charles VII): The indecisive ruler of France who desires his crown but lacks the courage to fight for it. Hampered by sloth, self-doubt, and treacherous advisors, he accepts Joan's help to gain his throne, only to prove ungrateful and passive when she is captured.

In Its Own Voice

"France should be destroyed by the wiles of a woman, and saved and redeemed by a maiden."

Bertrand de Poulengy recites this ancient prophecy of Merlin to his uncle, framing Joan's arrival against the backdrop of Queen Isabeau's past betrayals.

"I am sent to do a man's work, therefore in the garb of a man must I set forth."

Joan explains to her knightly escorts why she must set aside her heavy peasant dress for male clothes before embarking on her perilous military journey.

"The counsel of God and our Lord is more sure and more powerful than that of generals and soldiers."

Addressing the Bastard of Orleans upon her arrival, Joan gently rebukes the seasoned military commanders for relying on human caution rather than divine guidance.

What It's Really About

At its core, the novel explores the tension between worldly cynicism and unyielding spiritual conviction. Everett-Green contrasts the cold, calculating politics of kings and generals with the pure, selfless obedience of a young girl. The story argues that true leadership relies not on military might or royal lineage, but on moral clarity and faith. It poses lingering questions about human gratitude and institutional cowardice: why do those in power so quickly abandon the very instruments of their salvation once their immediate needs are met? Joan’s story becomes a tragedy of political betrayal, yet an ultimate triumph of personal integrity over worldly authority.

Why Read It Today

This novel offers an accessible, emotionally resonant entry into the Joan of Arc narrative for readers who appreciate classic historical adventure. Written in warm, earnest prose, it captures the atmosphere of fifteenth-century France without becoming bogged down in overly archaic diction.

Readers who enjoy tales of chivalry, heroic sacrifice, and spiritual courage will find much to admire in Jean de Novelpont’s firsthand perspective. The book does not hide the harsh reality of war or the tragic outcome of Joan's trial, yet it frames her story with a sense of wonder and reverence. While contemporary audiences may notice the Victorian romanticism that colors its portrayal of medieval warfare and regional politics, the core depiction of Joan remains striking: a figure of quiet composure, sharp practical intelligence, and extraordinary courage in the face of impossible odds.

<ElicitationsGroup message="To explore this book further:"> <Elicitation label="Compare this novel's depiction of Joan with Mark Twain's historical account" query="Compare Evelyn Everett-Green's portrayal of Joan of Arc in A Heroine of France with Mark Twain's Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc."/> <Elicitation label="Analyze the role of Jean de Novelpont as narrator" query="Analyze the character and narrative perspective of Jean de Novelpont in A Heroine of France by Evelyn Everett-Green."/> </ElicitationsGroup>