Joan of Arc and Medieval Traditions of Combative Women Martyrs, Secular Heroines, and Crusaders

Colleen Beck

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Carrasco, Magdalena

Keywords

Joan of Arc, Medieval Warfare Women, Amazon

Area of Concentration

Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Abstract

The purpose of my thesis is to explore Joan of Arc's relationship to earlier precedents of active and martial women. Joan of Arc fulfilled the roles of a holy woman, secular heroine, and soldier of God during her lifetime and in doing so, deviated from many societal norms. Assumption of these roles, however, did not separate Joan from her culture, but tied to her earlier medieval traditions. In order to establish Joan's place within, use, and change of the virgin martyr, secular heroine, and crusader ideals I have looked at contemporary portrayals of Joan in these contexts as well as earlier material in these traditions. Joan's use of her virginity and sacred calling as justification for action had a direct precedent in the legends of the virgin martyrs, and as a woman warrior Joan had both real and fictional women preceding her. Likewise, Joan was able to draw upon many aspects of crusader culture in her efforts to encourage the French army and to be seen as a knight.

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