Joan of Arc Enters Besieged Orléans
By early 1429, English forces had maintained a tight siege around the strategic French city of Orléans for months as part of the Hundred Years’ War, cutting off supplies and threatening to starve the defenders into submission. The teenage peasant visionary Joan of Arc, claiming divine guidance to support the Dauphin Charles, joined a supply convoy assembling at Blois and insisted on a direct approach despite commanders’ preferences for safer routes. On April 29, after a circuitous southern approach along the Loire, Joan and a small escort crossed into the city under cover of a diversionary French sortie on the western side, entering triumphantly through the eastern gate around 8 p.m. amid celebrations from the relieved garrison and citizens. She...