Book Review of "Joan of Arc"

Book Review of Joan of Arc"
by Jay Williams, Author
Horizon Caravel, 1963

Book Review by
Bill Schaeffer

copyright(c) 2014
William a. Schaeffer

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Mission of Joan of Arc
1. Liberate Orleans
2. Crown the King of France at Reims Cathedral
3. Drive the English out of France

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p. 14

"Prophecies were particularly important in that age of visions and heavenly visitations. Many of the prophecies given the most attention were those attributed to Merlin, the great magician of the King Arthur romances, who was supposed to have lived in the fifth century. The French adapted his prophecies and made them part of their lore. As interpreted by the French, one of those sayings was that their country would be ruined by a woman and saved by a maiden. This maiden, it was said, would be dressed in a man's clothes and would come from an oak forest in Lorraine. These beliefs were prevalent long before Joan was born..."

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p. 16

"She was twelve then; at least she thought so. She was in the garden of her parents' house, she recalled later, when all at once there was a great glare of light. It was on her right, from the direction of the church. And a voice coming out of the air said to her, "Be a good girl, Joan, and pious. Great things are expected of you." It was an eerie experience, and she was frightened -- although the voice that spoke was gentle and reassuring. A few days later she heard it again, accompanied by the same brilliant light. When she heard it a third time, she realized who was speaking to her: the Archangel Michael, captain of the armies of heaven and defender of France."

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p. 120

"One of the judges suddenly asked her, Do you know whether you are in God's grace?" Another monk put in, "That is a ponderous question. She need not answer it."
Indeed it was a ponderous question, and hardly a fair one either. As a good Christian she could not know for certain and could not truthfully answer Yes. But if she answered No, she would have placed herself outside the pale. Deftly she replied, "If I am not in God's grace, I pray God to put me there; if I am, may God keep me there."
By asking that question, the court had hoped to trick her. They made other attempts too..."

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p. 135

"The two priests were still at here side. She pleaded with themm to get down -- but to hold the crucifix up in front of her so she could continue to see it. Quickly the flames rose about her feet. Yet above the snapping of the fire, joan's voice could still be heard calling on God, the Archangel, and her Saints. Some witnesses thought they heard her begging for holy water.
Suddenly she shrieked, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!" The fire enveloped her, Once more, half-stifled by her anguish, her voice cried out, "Jesus!"
Nothing more was heard from her."

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p. 138

"The Maid was dead. Her ashes had been gathered up and thrown into the Seine's filthy waters. Now the English royal council sent out letters to princes and churchmen everywhere proclaiming that a powerful and dangerous heretic had been destroyed."

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