632. Joan of Arc: Warrior Maid (Part 1)

The podcast explores the historical figure of Joan of Arc, framing her story within the context of the Hundred Years' War and the complex political landscape of 15th-century France. It highlights Joan's unlikely rise as a young peasant girl who claimed divine guidance to lead the French army. The discussion also covers the civil war between the Burgundians and the Armagnacs, and how the English, under Henry V, exploited this division to gain control of France. The hosts analyze the perspectives of key figures like Christine de Pizan, who celebrated Joan, and the Duke of Bedford, who condemned her as a sorceress. The podcast sets the stage for Joan's arrival at the Dauphin's court and the impending siege of Orléans, emphasizing the desperation of the French and the seemingly insurmountable odds she faced.