Blueprint of Nations
Welcome to 'Double Helix: Blueprint of Nations,' the podcast where we analyze and look at the events, people and actions that have shaped the nations of our world . From revolutions to treaties, conflicts to triumphs, we explore the historical blueprints that continue to influence the way nations think and act today.
Blueprint of Nations
From Domrémy to Destiny: The Saga of a French Heroine
Discover the remarkable saga of Joan of Arc, the peasant girl turned war leader who shifted the destiny of France. Our latest episode of Double Helix's Blueprint of Nations is a tapestry of courage, divinely inspired battles, and the shaping of national identity. You'll be riveted by the account of how a teenage visionary donned armor and defied the societal constraints of 15th-century France to become an enduring emblem of hope and resistance.
Embark on the journey with us as we trace Joan's footsteps from the humble beginnings in Domrémy to the Siege of Orléans, where her strategic brilliance and inspirational presence breathed new life into the French cause. We examine the complexities of her divine visions and the transformational role they played in the Hundred Years' War, culminating in the crowning of Charles VII. Joan's story is a galvanizing reminder that the power of unwavering faith and conviction can change the course of history, leaving an indelible mark on a nation's spirit.
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Welcome to Double Healing's Blue Print of Nations, season 1, episode 4, the Maid of Warlion through the fires of war. Here is she, who seems not to come from anywhere on earth, who seems to be sent from heaven to sustain with her neck and shoulders a fallen France. She raised a king out of the vast abyss onto the harbor and shore by laboring in storms and tempests, and she lifted up the spirits of the French to a greater hope. By restraining the ferocity of the English, she excited the bravery of the French, she prohibited the ruin of France and she extinguished the fires of France. O, singular virgin worthy of all glory, worthy of all praise, worthy of divine honors, you are the honor of the rain, you are the light of the lily, you are the beauty, the glory not only of France but of all Christendom. Charles VII, king of France.
Speaker 1:If you could distill the essence of what a nation means to itself into one person or one symbol, what would it be For America? Since I live here, it's probably the Statue of Liberty, right? Maybe you came up with a different symbol, or even an animal the bald eagle. Perhaps Today we'll try to learn about who. I think is that for France as much as any other symbol or person. As we unfold the layers of Joan of Arc's story, we'll learn about the implausible, the extraordinary and the indomitable spirit of a nation, for ultimately, that is what she would come to represent to past, current and future generations of French men and women alike. Imagine, if you will, that you are 13 years old, thinking about the things 13-year-olds think about. It hadn't been a long time for me, so I don't remember. But imagine. Suddenly you begin to hear voices, voices asking you to leave everything you know and love behind to help lead the armies of your nation in defeating almost 100 years of occupation and war. I think it's safe to assume most of us would chalk it up to our out-of-control hormones and go about the rest of our lives right. Well, this improbable and somewhat crazy scenario is precisely what we are here to discuss Today. We'll step into the extraordinary life of Johann La Poussée, better known to you and me as Joan of Arc or the maid of Warlain, or Joan the Maid.
Speaker 1:Among the leaders we've explored, none have raised as many questions as this enigmatic figure. She is the most studied figure of the Middle Ages, and for good reason. After this, the young woman stepping onto the stage, seemingly out of thin air, ready to lead her nation's armies at a time when such feats were unheard of. This is not just remarkable, it is downright mythical. Fast forward to today and Joan, now a Catholic saint in fact, the patron saint of France still embodies the fighting spirit of the French nation. She is a symbol of courage that defies the odds, and she did it against all odds. For Joan's tale, it isn't just about facing a military challenge that had been raging for nearly a century. It's also about a young woman navigating 15th century societal challenges in a world dominated by patriarchal norms and downright misogyny. In the span of a very short life, she was saint soldier, leader and later, as we will see, villain.
Speaker 1:Before diving into Joan's remarkable story, though, I think it would be fair to put some basic concepts down, because the first time I learned about this story I got very confused, so I figure I would try to save you some of that confusion. For starters, the same names will pop up a number of times. There is lots of Charles's, edwards, henry's. There is also a significant number of French words, which I will certainly butcher, so bear with me, please. In addition, the dynastic struggle at the center of the Hundred Years War is equally confusing because, in the middle of the English attempt to claim the French throne, there is a French civil war for control of set throne, which is how you end up with two French lineages that claim the throne. Finally, I will often refer to both France and England as kingdoms rather than nations, because at the time of these events, that is what they were. The modern nations we know today were not yet fully formed. With that said, let's rewind a bit and explore the backdrop against which the tale of Joan de Maid unfolds. Without understanding this background, it is very hard to understand why she mattered so much and why her story was also so improbable.
Speaker 1:The Hundred Years War was the epic saga of the Middle Ages. The world that emerged from the war was essentially different from the one that preceded it. Understanding the modern world of nation-states without it would be difficult at best. Contrary to its name, the conflicts banned a ridiculous 116 years, pitting the kingdoms of England against France in a struggle for control over dynastic claims. Other than a continuous, unbroken war, like, say, world War II, it manifested as a series of conflicts characterized by intermittent, sometimes lengthy lulls between the two kingdoms Throughout this extended period. A perpetual state of war simmered between France and England, setting the stage for a turbulent era that sought countless battles, political maneuvering and left much of the French countryside in shambles. The Hundred Years War has also left a memorable mark on popular culture, serving as the wellspring for many Middle-Age-themed tropes, stereotypes and legends. Whether you're a fan of Game of Thrones or enchanted by the high fantasy of the Lord of the Rings series, the worlds depicted, with their knights, ruthless apportionism and brutal hand-to-hand combat find their roots in the tumultuous and dynamic realm of the Hundred Years War.
Speaker 1:This period of European history was the crucible in which the first true sense of nationhood emerged for both France and England. Before this protracted conflict, they held more in common with collections of feudal duchies, obligations and competing claims for land a collection of lands for it fieldies to a Lord here or there, than they do with a nation or country that you would recognize today. However, the wars aftermath marked a transformative moment, shaping the modern nations we recognize today. In the case of France, the embodiment of this nascent identity carries a singular name Joan of Arc. Known in her own words as Johann de Maid, or simply de Maid, she became the catalyst for France's early shaping into a cohesive and resilient nation. As we unravel Joan's story, we'll witness how she played a pivotal role in not just turning the tide of the war but also emolding the very essence of French national identity.
Speaker 1:The war began many years before Joan enters the scene, almost a hundred years before, in 1337, as Edward III, king of England, sought to press his lineal claim on the throne of France as he was the nearest living male relative to the French king Charles IV. It is important to note that at this point in history, the English held a significant portion of southwestern France called Gaskonie and Guyant. I will include the obligatory map on Instagram to help you orient. Edward had a number of reasons for pressing his claim. A couple important ones were his displeasure with a French alliance, with the Kingdom of Scotland and with French treatment of his holdings in Gaskonie, because by this time, french nobility was beginning to question the need to have English owning large swathes of France. Faced with this agitated environment, Edward threatened to press his claim. By 1337, the French call to arms was raised. The game of thrones fans will call this the racing of the banners and houses loyal to the crown. And so the war began, and with the initial French aim to reclaim Gaskonie into the fold. Edward advanced into the north of France, quickly ceasing the initiative, and by 1340, edward would be calling himself King of France, fully pressing his claim.
Speaker 1:The war which followed proved disastrous for France. The smaller and less populous Kingdom of England, led by Edward III and later his son, edward the Black Prince, inflicted the disastrous defeat after disastrous defeat on the larger French armies. At the Battle of Sluise, where the French fleet was annihilated, the threat of a French invasion of England was completely eliminated. And then at Crassie and, famously, at Poitiers, the English were victorious once again. Adding insult to injury, after the Battle of Poitiers, the English captured the French King, who was now John II, taking him into activity to the Tower of London. With France in the brink of collapse, edward and England secured the first piece of the conflict in 1360. This tumultuous period laid the foundation for the complex geopolitical landscape into which Joan of Arc would later emerge, marking a crucial chapter in the evolving history of both nations. The French would claw back some of their land from the English in the subsequent decades, under the leadership of Charles V, but ultimately a stalemate remained.
Speaker 1:It was now half-time in the Hundred Years' War by 1415, the Hundred Years' War resumed vigorously under the leadership of the legendary Henry V, a figure who could merit a podcast dedicated solely to his exploits. I should emphasize that I have to find a way to do an episode on Edward the Black Prince and on Henry V. They are two of the most remarkable medieval warlords of all history. Anyway, henry V brought the superior French forces to battle at the Battle of Eggingcourt on October 1415. The battle that unfolded was one of the most improbable victories in military history. Despite being vastly outnumbered, with estimates as disadvantageous as a five-to-one advantage to the French, the English emerged triumphant.
Speaker 1:The aftermath of Eggingcourt was devastating for the French. Over 10,000 soldiers laid death, including three dukes, seven counts, the Constable of France, the commanding general of French forces, the Admiral of France and more than 90 other lords, along with 1,500 knights. In a single day, the flower of the French military was lost. In addition, morale was completely set from the French. The English, under the leadership of Henry V, seemed invincible and for a time it seems like they were Discrushing. Defeat instilled a pervasive sense of defeatism and a lack of belief in French ability to resist the English conquest.
Speaker 1:The remnants of the French kingdom, grappled with this grim attitude onto the arrival of our main protagonist, whose extraordinary story would breathe new life and hope into the beleaguered kingdom. As you can see, then, the Hundred Years War sets the stage for the complex and challenging environment into which our central character, joan of Arc, emerges A backdrop of almost a century of conflict, continuous warfare and the devastating impacts of campaigns up and down the French countryside. One of these campaign styles or ways of making war was called a chevrochet. A chevrochet consisted of essentially pillaging and raiding all the areas that came into contact with the attacking army. Being a peasant in the 14th and 15th century was no fun, but imagine being one in France. That must have been downright depressing. The Kingdom of France was in a state of complete despair.
Speaker 1:By 1420, the intricate Treaty of Troyes essentially made Henry V heir to the French throne. While Charles VI was still recognized as the current King of France, he was ill and always struggling with bouts of mental and physical decline. Every expectation was that Henry would outlive the sickly French king, thus making him King of France. Despite that and insurance policy, henry was also to be married to Charles' daughter, and their offering would become the rightful heir to the Kingdoms of England and France. In addition, the treaty made the Daphan or the heir to the French throne disowned. His name was yes, you guessed it Charles. He was the son of Charles VI and should have been the rightful heir to the French throne, where it not for the English and Henry V. So it was to everyone's surprise, and Henry's in particular, when he died suddenly in 1422, just before Charles VI, who did follow him into the grave. Two months later, france was left in the midst of a dispute for the throne. Henry V's insurance policy worked and he was able to conceive a child, now called Henry VI and who had the nominal claim as King of England and France.
Speaker 1:The English allied with Burgundy, a significant French tuchy who approved of the treaty and recognized Henry VI's claim. On the other side stood Charles, the French heir, and his faction, which still controlled a significant portion of France and continued to claim to be the rightful lineage. They were known as the Armanacs. You see why this is where Game of Thrones got its inspiration who gets to sit the throne? All at the center of the controversy. For the purposes of avoiding further confusion, just know that when we refer to the English, going forward would mean the English and the Burgundians, and when we mean France, we mean those parts of the country still loyal to the son of Charles VI and the heir of the French throne, also called the Armanacs by 1428,. The English are preparing to strike what they hope will be a final blow against the French. Their objective is the city of Orleans, which they besieged in October 1428. Taking Orleans would open up the door to the remaining French possessions.
Speaker 1:It is here that we finally meet our protagonists. And you may wonder why all this background? As I said before, without it, the impact the maid had on France is hard to understand. 100 years of war, mostly humiliating defeats, a country ransacked by the Chebyshe. Oh, and don't forget the Black Death, which happened in the late 1300s and decimated the French population. Things seem to be against France. Joan of Arc's arrival becomes a pivotal turning point, injecting hope and courage into a beleaguered nation. Her extraordinary story unfolds against this backdrop of adversity and as we explore her life, we'll witness how she played a crucial role in reshaping the destiny of France. For now, the Hundred Years War, which is not the topic of this podcast, despite what you might believe, will fade into the background of our story. We'll come back to the Hundred Years War in another episode, I am sure. Near Orleans there was a small village, one of the few that had managed to resist English control, at least on and off the village of Don Remy. The small village would come to play a key role in the history of France. It is here where, sometime in the years following the death of Henry V, that a young girl will begin hearing a calling from beyond, a calling which would change France forever.
Speaker 1:By now, almost a full century had passed since hostilities had first begun. As we mentioned, france was beset by the English and their Burgundian allies on the one hand, but ferocious infighting brought about by the challenges of succession and the question of who should rule what was left of the kingdom. The world Joan entered and embroiled herself with could not have been a more difficult one. Looking at the state of affairs would have discouraged the most capable of military leaders. But how about a non-assuming peasant, a young woman only a young teenager at this point, involved in military affairs in an age where this was not to be? Where did she get her power? Why did she do it? She was clear as to where she got her power. She attributed her power to forces beyond our world, to angels and saints, to God Himself. The waning French effort needed inspiration. It needed a leader, and Joan would prove to be all that and then some more.
Speaker 1:Joan was born in the small village of Don Remy sometime in 1412, within the fringes of the English and Burgundian dominated regions of France, in other words, the parts not loyal to the French air. Her early life appears to have been mostly unremarkable, with an upbringing that resembled that of most peasants of the time. She had three brothers and a sister and was well versed in the Christian religion of her parents and country. The point to make here is that there is no indication that she was educated in military affairs or came from an overtly political family. She was, as I said before, rather unremarkable. That is until she turned 13 years old and began hearing what she described as the voices of angels and saints asking her to embark on a mission to save France. It is worth noting that during the time of her childhood, perhaps due to the difficult situation, france found itself in several prophecies that foretold of the arrival of a virgin or a maid who would deliver France from the English abounded. There is no way to know if these prophecies influenced Joan's visions later on, but it is possible that they had an effect on the broader public, making it easier for them to believe in the legitimacy of her calling.
Speaker 1:The mystery of what compelled a young peasant girl living on the edge of a warren torn landscape to embrace the cause of her country remains elusive. Some suggest that theories are that she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Hysteria, or perhaps schizophrenia. The truth is, we don't really know. What we do know is that she firmly believed the voices she heard were real. Her unwavering dedication to her mission, even in the face of the ultimate penalty death by burning which spoiler alert she did endure when captured by the English hamburgundians, reveals an unshakable faith and conviction in her calling. By the time her story and mission became widely known, joan was only around 16 years old. Imagine a teenage girl taking on the weight of a kingdom's destiny with a courage that transcended her age. It is a tale that straddles the thin line between the inexplicable and the extraordinary.
Speaker 1:Joan's audacious journey began with a mission straight from the Divine Playbook. She aimed to reach the Dauphan Charles and unveil her celestial calling. The core elements of her mission were crystal clear Lift the Siege of Orleans, escort Charles to Rance for his coronation as the rightful king of all France and reclaim Paris and expel the English from France. Now getting an audience with Charles the heir was no walk in the park. Her first step involved seeking assistance from her uncle to secure a meeting with a prominent captain in Charles's army. Despite being turned away up to three times, jones' unwavering persistence won hearts and gradually convinced those around her of the authenticity of her calling. This relentless determination paid off, leading her on a two-week journey to Chinang Castle to meet the future king. On her way to Chinang, joan donned men's clothes for the first time, a wardrobe choice she'd stick to for the rest of her life. Imagine the audacity a young girl defying convention, clad in armor and ready to challenge the course of history.
Speaker 1:Jones' cross-dressing is a significant aspect of her story and it is not to be understated. It became one of the charges brought against her later on, a claim used to label her as a heretic. Interestingly, it's also a marker that some point to as evidence of her being a proto-feminist. For Joan herself, dressing as a man and adopting a male haircut wasn't about making a statement on her sexuality, at least to all indications. Instead, it was a practical choice, a means to set herself apart from other women of her time. Distinction was crucial for her, given the gravity of her holy mission. While we can't definitively know her motivations, cross-dressing may have played a role. Consider the context, too, of an era where rape and sexual abuse were tragically commonplace, especially as forms of military and extrajudicial punishment. Dressing as a man may have served as a protective measure, helping Joan navigate the dangers she faced on her sacred quest.
Speaker 1:Upon meeting Charles, joan found a court in disarray, grappling with timidity and indecision in the face of English resistance. The message she brought, one of salvation and divine mandate, essentially asserting that God was on Francis' side, started to transform the conflict that shifted from a mere struggle over dynastic claims and inheritance to one infused with religious overtones, in a move that was nothing short of radical. Joan's first request to Charles was to be sent to Orléans with soldiers to lift the siege. Picture this again a young girl dressed as a man, asking not just to join the battle but to lead men into combat, or while proclaiming to speak on behalf of God and angels. It was as if an alien had landed in 15th century France. The sheer improbability of it all might have been precisely what turned skeptics into believers.
Speaker 1:After her initial meeting with Charles, joan was taken to a group of church authorities in Poitiers. It was an ecclesiastical council set up to confirm the truth of her story. In addition, the prominent women of the court verified whether Joan was indeed a maid or not. With everyone satisfied, she was sent, along with manned arms, new plate of armor and her own banner, to Orléans to relieve the siege. Just a few months before, she had been a peasant girl working her family fields, and now she was a military commander, clad in armor and ready to embark on the pivotal moments of her life.
Speaker 1:In April 1429, joan and her relief army made it to Orléans. Despite the fact that she was a woman, the divine nature of her mission had spread throughout the area, as a recruitment of troops did not prove difficult. Already, she was being cast as some sort of avatar in the saint Her new army of some 10,000 men, made for Orléans proper and fueled by an enthusiasm and energy that had not been there for almost two decades prior, since the rampaging arrival of Henry V of French shores. Initially, she was viewed as a totem or of inspiration, not to be involved in the core of the fighting as she was given no command and was to take no part in the council set up to discuss the siege. However, throughout the siege she earned her stripes on the field. She moved around the battle, embroiling herself where the fighting was the worst. She was wounded by an arrow above her breast but kept fighting. In one particular incident, during the assault on an surrounding fortress that was going poorly for the French, she rode to the spot of the assault, racing her banners and helping in the charge that took the fortress. Despite constant passivity and hesitation from other French commanders, the maid kept encouraging the attack, urging the French to keep up the assault. It was in the final assault against the last remaining English stronghold where Joan was wounded by an arrow. By May 8, 1429, the English had retreated.
Speaker 1:The siege of Orleans was over. Joan the maid, the teenager with the five deats, had been a big part of the victory. For their part, the English and Burgundians began to see Jones' intervention as an act of evil, noting in their initial reports that her success was due to Enchantment and Sorcery. Surely, to them, the only way she was able to succeed was that she was of the devil In Orleans, the city that she had helped to rescue. She would forever be placed in a place of honor, both in life and even later after she died. From this point forward, she would always be known as Joan the Maid of Orleans.
Speaker 1:Following the victory in Orleans, joan and the newly invigorated French army embarked on a campaign to reconquist the Loire Valley from the English. The purpose of this was to achieve the second part of her mission the coronation of Charles as Charles VII in France. At the towns of the Loire. The Maid once again inserted herself in the thickest part of the fighting, constantly racing her banner and urging the men on in the midst of the fray. While she offered encouragement and inspiration, she also fought, and as a commander she opted for speed and relentless attack as the way to dislodge the English and their allies. At Jargo, she was again briefly wounded by a stone, which dropped over her head and split her helmet. Yet she persisted, encouraging those around her to continue the attack. An important aspect of her participation throughout the campaign was her emphasis on speed and daring in the pursuit of the English. Countless times she was faced with the timid French commanders who wished to rest, take tactical breaks or expected to assess more before attacking. Time and again she advocated for faster action and for constant pursuit. From a purely tactical perspective, this was inspired guidance which allowed the French to build on their momentum. All of these battles culminated in the Battle of Patay, where the French defeated the relief English army sent from Paris. The way to Rance was finally opened In an astonishing four months.
Speaker 1:Joan's courage, leadership and encouragement had managed to turn French fortunes From the 17th of July 1429, charles VII was crowned and consecrated as King of France in Ross. Just as Joan had foretold in her visions, despite divisions in the French court, french forces attacked Paris on September 8. As before, joan rode ahead and inserted herself in the hardest fighting. She was wounded in the leg by a crossbow bolt and had to be rescued after the assault by hiding in a trench for the day. The realities of combat were starting to catch up to her visions. Amazingly, she would remain defiant and committed throughout, regardless of the personal dangers that she faced.
Speaker 1:Despite her further urgings, the attack on Paris was finally abandoned and Joan's tature in the court of the king she helped to crown began to falter. She continued to remain committed to her king and the kingdom even after her role became more secondary Because of the defeat in Paris. Rumblings began that perhaps her mission was not divine after all. Shortly after this, she was sent with a force to battle a French mercenary who had fought for the English and the Burgundians. Once again, joan's force was defeated and her status diminished even further when, by the end of 1429, charles signed a four-month truce with the Burgundians.
Speaker 1:With her role diminished, joan remained impassive, seeking to advance against the enemies of France. This led to her violation of the truce between France and Burgundy and her attack against Burgundy in Compiants. The attack failed and she was unable to muster enough forces for the attack until she was captured by the Burgundians. She did attempt to escape twice, once jumping from a window and falling on a dry moat, but she was unsuccessful. The Burgundians negotiated with the English and sold her for 10,000 pounds. The English rejoiced at having removed her as a military threat from the field, that she remained too dangerous to be left alive, and so what would follow would be a shameful show trial in Rome. It was January 1431 and she was only 18 or 19 years old by this time.
Speaker 1:Joan of Arc was put on trial for heresy, blasphemy, for wearing men's clothes and for having demonic visions, because she claimed to be on a mission from God, validated by her results, namely the crowning of Charles VII. It was important to the English to invalidate her visions or religious grounds, because otherwise the assumed truth would be that the English were in France unlawfully and that their century-long claim had no validity in the eyes of God. Remember, during this time of human and European history, god's opinion of your actions was as important as anything else, in some cases more important. To this end, the trial became a series of religious accusations fueled by the hatred the English felt towards Joan. She remained defiant, affirming that she could not be judged by anyone else but God. The trial, although French in name, was bought and paid for by the English, with most of the participants being pro-English or pro-Burkandy.
Speaker 1:The trial of Joan of Arc is one of the better documented episodes of medieval history. A lot of what we know about her comes from her testimony during the trial. It is clear that she remained composed and firmly committed to the supernatural qualities of her mission. Her defiance made her accuse her flirt with torture, but ultimately they decided against it. At the conclusion of the trial, joan was made to sign a document where she agreed not to bear arms against England or wear men's clothes. Finally, the last few weeks of her life passed as violent and sad chapters, as her captors taunted her, beat her and harassed her. Knowing that the punishment for an unrepentant heretic was death, joan was given men's clothes by her English captors. Facing the constant threat of rape and beatings, joan resumed wearing men's clothes as a form of protection and comfort. In addition, joan recanted her confession, said that the vision and voices had encouraged her not to renounce her mission or her quest ever again, and she agreed. This was enough to label her an unrepentant heretic and thus sentence her to death.
Speaker 1:On May 30th 1431, the 19-year-old Joan was put to death by burning in the marketplace of Rang by the English. The remains were thrown into the river nearby. She had died defiant the way she had lived, and from this point forward, her legend would only grow. Her victories and encouragement had changed the nature of the conflict and by 1435, the Burgundians had abandoned their alliance with the English. 22 years after her death, the interminable 100 years of war finally came to an end with the French victory at the Battle of Castillon. It would be bold to claim that the war ended because of Joan, but her life and example changed the kinetic energy of the conflict deriving an ultimate French victory, the English were ultimately expelled from France, with Calais remaining the only tow-hole left. In 1455, a second trial of Joan, called the Rehabilitation Trial, sought to undo most of the findings of the first trial. This resulted in her sentence being nullified completely.
Speaker 1:Over the centuries and decades that followed, joan remained a potent symbol of God's favor over France and his overall sponsorship of the French cause. It was not until the early days of the French Revolution that her figure suffered minor tarnishing for its association with the French monarchy. By the time our friend Napoleon came to the scene, he restored her image, fully crediting her as an icon of French ingenuity and military prowess. From that point forward, she has been all things to all people in France a symbol of the free French during World War II, but also one of fishy France. She has recently even become a symbol of the French far right, with its populist and nationalist overtones intertwined with the story of the maid.
Speaker 1:When I began this project seeking to understand the blueprint of nations, it was always with the hopes of uncovering stories like that of Joan of Arc. She is the embodiment of France, and traces of her DNA permeate the blueprint of the French nation. Like old, powerful symbols, she will be appropriated by those seeking to use her as one thing or the other, but she withstands the test and continues to resist in her own way. Joan of Arc holds a profound significance in French history, embodying the spirit of resilience, courage and national identity of the nation. Her unwavering determination during the Hundred Years War, her role in lifting the Siege of Orleans and her eventual martyrdom have elevated her to a symbol of French patriotism. Joan of Arc is seen as a unifying force, transcending historical and cultural boundaries, representing the enduring spirit of France against adversity. She remains a cultural and historical icon, inspiring generations with her remarkable story of bravery and conviction.
Speaker 1:Thank you once again for joining us on this captivating journey. Don't forget to like and share the podcast. While the tale of France is far from complete, we're now venturing below the equator. For the first time. In the podcast, we're now venturing ourselves in the stories of leaders who've woven the fabric of nations. Our next destination South Africa. Here we'll unravel the legacies of two influential leaders, beginning with the timeless Mediba, nelson Mandela. As we bid adieu to France for now, keep that spirit of exploration alive, stay curious, keep learning and join us next time on Double Helix Blueprint of Nations. Until then, happy exploring.
