8 May 1429: End of the English siege of the French city of Orléans
Joan of Arc
by Diane Stanley
Nonfiction/Illustrated biography
Recommended for: Grammar students
48 pages
Published by: HarperCollins (2002)
Who does not look for an excuse to read at least one of the many wonderful books about Joan of Arc? On this day, 8 May, in 1429, the English withdrew, ending their siege of the French city of Orléans, which had begun on 12 October 1428. The act, which was precipitated by French forces--lead by Joan of Arc--driving the English away from the city, is often seen as the turning point of the Hundred Years' War, as the city was of great strategic value for the French. Unfortunately, a large number of French forces were trapped inside the city during the siege because before the British tightened their lines, the French had beefed up troop numbers to reinforce those already there, wanting to ensure the city did not fall into English hands.
The English abandoning the siege was a tremendous morale booster for the French, as their last significant victory had been in 1415, at Agincourt. Jeanne d'Arc, or Joan of Arc as she would become known to history, had begged an audience with the French king, Charles VII. She believed that she was Divinely prompted to lead the efforts to relieve the city that had become a symbol of the success or failure of the war. Charles was dubious to say the least, but he had her examined by several religious authorities, all of whom agreed that it could not hurt to let her try. Joan did not have any say in matters of strategy but did ride at the head of the troops that harassed the British and provoked them to break ranks.
Casualty numbers were very high, but Joan was instrumental in convincing French commanders to press forward. The French, with Joan in the lead, were able to take control of the drawbridge into the city. The French gained the city and spent the night resting. In the morning, the English formed up, hoping to lure the French out of the city. On Joan's advice, the French did not engage, and the English withdrew their forces.
Joan's influence would continue after she inspired the breaking of the siege. She was at the head of French forces as they swept through the Loire, removing the English from the entire region.
I am including a number of books about Joan of Arc because I know that many people rely on libraries. These are the best of the subject, so your library should have at least a couple of them.
Joan of Arc
by Demi
Nonfiction/Illustrated biography
Recommended for: Dialectic students
59 pages
Published by: Two Lions (2012)
Who Was Joan of Arc?
by Pam Pollack
Nonfiction/Illustrated biography
Recommended for: Dialectic students
114 pages
Published by: Penguin Group (2016)
Joan of Arc: The Teenager Who Saved Her Nation
by Philip Wilkinson
Nonfiction/Biography
Recommended for: Dialectic students
64 pages
Published by: National Geographic Children's Books (2009)
Series: National Geographic World History Biographies
Joan of Arc: A Photographic Story of a Life
by Kathleen Kudlinski
Nonfiction/Biography
Recommended for: Dialectic students
128 pages
Published by: DK Children (2008)
Series: DK Biography
Joan of Arc
by Mark Twain
Nonfiction/Biography
Recommended for: Rhetoric students/Adults
452 pages
Published by: Ignatius Press (1989)