The Rest Is History — Episode 634

Joan of Arc: Heroine in Chains (Part 3)
Hosts: Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook
Release Date: January 12, 2026

Overview

In the penultimate episode of the Joan of Arc series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook chart Joan’s meteoric rise, her extraordinary achievements in the Hundred Years’ War, and the shifting tides of fortune that ultimately lead to her capture. They vividly reconstruct Joan’s role in turning the war’s momentum and delve into the reasons for both her breathtaking popularity and her spectacular fall from grace. The hosts explore how Joan’s charisma inspires her comrades, the significance of her gender and image, her military accomplishments, and her eventual abandonment by King Charles VII. The episode ends as Joan, now a prisoner, is delivered into the hands of her English and Burgundian enemies—setting the stage for her trial and fate.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Joan’s Charisma & Image

• [00:41–07:03]
  • Letter from Guy de Laval: The episode opens with an eyewitness letter from Guy de Laval, depicting Joan as a radiant figure in white armor, exuding an almost supernatural aura that inspired awe and devotion among her followers.
    • Dominic Sandbrook (00:41): “She left Cels on Monday at the hour of vespers alongside a great body of armed men… she said in a beautiful feminine voice, ‘You priests and people of the church make processions and prayers to God for us.’”
  • Iconic Performance: The hosts argue that Joan was not only courageous but also innately understood the power of image, blending religious and chivalric symbolism to galvanize morale.
    • Tom Holland (05:50): “She’s kind of the medieval David Bowie on steroids. She understands how to project herself.”

2. Gender, Spirituality, and Identity

• [07:03–12:45]
  • Breaking Gender Norms: Joan embodies both masculine martial valor and feminine chastity/holiness, refusing to renounce her femininity while performing knightly deeds.
    • Tom Holland (10:02): “She is male in the most martial way… but she is female in the holiest way. And it's this fusion that is so unique, and that makes Joan such a completely exceptional person.”
  • Virginity as Holiness: Her virginity and the perception of sexlessness reinforce her holy status among comrades, who stress her purity to assert her divine mission.
    • Tom Holland quoting squire Jean Dollon (11:04): “[Despite seeing her in intimate situations,] never, despite any sight or contact I had with the maid, was my body moved to any carnal desire for her… Nor were any of her soldiers or squires moved in this way.”

3. Miracles, Scepticism & Results

• [13:10–15:41]
  • Though skeptics existed among French commanders, Joan’s success in lifting the siege of Orléans—the “miracle”—turns doubters into fervent supporters. Still, she herself rejects claims of supernatural powers beyond her mission.
    • Dominic Sandbrook (14:48): “Even the relief of Orleans… sieges are often relieved… but you don't need to resort to supernatural explanations…”
    • Tom Holland (15:05): “That is the one miracle Joan says she has performed… the relief of Orleans was performed by a peasant girl. That does seem… stunning.”

4. From Orléans to Reims: Military Campaigns & Coronation

• [16:36–31:37]
  • Further Victories: Joan leads a string of victories—Jargeau, Patay, and Troyes—demolishing the English aura of invincibility and emboldening the French.
    • Dominic Sandbrook (19:06): “Duke of Suffolk is there [at Jargeau]… the English end up being taken prisoner, including the Duke of Suffolk. A massive blow.”
    • Tom Holland (19:53): “One week later… it’s the turn of Talbot… he suffers a crushing defeat in the open. 2000 Englishmen are killed.”
  • March to Reims: Despite logistical risks, Joan insists on pushing to Reims for Charles’ coronation—her charisma turns strategic uncertainty into triumph.
  • Coronation of Charles VII: The climax is Charles’ crowning, with Joan at his side modeling her mission’s success.
    • Tom Holland (29:22): “Charles the Dauphin approaches the high altar… he’s crowned by the Archbishop of Reims. And throughout, Joan is by his side holding her beautiful white banner… ‘noble king, God’s will is done,’ and then she breaks down in tears.”

5. Shifting Political Winds & Joan’s Diminishing Influence

• [31:59–47:12]
  • Joan’s Family Ennobled: In recognition, Charles VII exempts Joan’s home village from taxes and ennobles her family.
  • Attempts at Peace: Joan urges reconciliation among French nobles and suggests redirecting war against outside infidels—a sign of her idealism, but also of her disconnect from political reality.
    • Dominic Sandbrook teasing (34:23): “Joan the Maid calls upon you… to make a good and lasting peace… And if you wish to make war, then do so against the Saracens. Oh Joan… throws away all the goodwill… she wants to attack the Middle East.”
  • Reality Bites: Charles VII becomes more cautious; Joan’s aggressive approach to continuing the war jars with the need for diplomacy and resource management.
  • Failure at Paris: Joan’s direct assault on Paris fails—her first major defeat—and Charles is quick to distance himself. The hosts note this is partly strategic reality, partly a loss of Joan’s “divine” aura.
    • Dominic Sandbrook (43:15): “Listeners may be thinking… the liberation of Paris isn’t as famous… well, it doesn’t go according to plan for Joan.”

6. Capture at Compiègne: Joan’s Fall

• [47:12–52:54]
  • Joan turns Freelance: Frustrated with royal inertia, she takes independent action, wandering with a free company and attempting to relieve Compiègne.
  • Her Capture: During a failed sortie (May 23, 1430), the town’s gates are shut, and Joan is captured by the Burgundians.
    • Tom Holland (50:02): “It doesn’t go well… Joan is now stuck on the wrong side of the moat… surrounded by a swarm of Burgundian soldiers. She’s pulled down from her horse. She rises to her feet… Jean la Pucelle is now a prisoner.”
  • No Rescue from Charles: Charles makes no attempt to ransom her or secure her release, likely seeing her as a political liability.
    • Dominic Sandbrook (53:16): “You would think the obvious person [to ransom Joan] is Charles VII… but I reckon there’s a part of him that thinks, thank God I’ve got rid of her.”

7. Joan’s Fate: From Prisoner to ‘Witch’

• [54:18–60:19]
  • The English & Burgundians’ Plan: The English see Joan as the supernatural cause of their losses—genuinely believing she is a witch, not merely as a propaganda ploy.
    • Tom Holland (38:56): “Bedford himself has no doubt who to blame, and that is Joan, because he feels that she is a witch…”
    • Dominic Sandbrook (57:29): “[Was] the trial of Joan manipulative and cynical?... The English genuinely, sincerely think this woman quite clearly is a witch.”
  • Selling Joan: She is sold to the English, after surviving a suicide attempt in prison.
    • Tom Holland (58:46): “She hurls herself from the window of the 60 foot tower in which John of Luxembourg has been keeping her… Somehow she survives the fall, but she’s very badly concussed.”
  • Path to Trial: With Normandy stabilized, the captive Joan is brought to Rouen for her trial by the Bishop of Beauvais, Pierre Cauchon, with the aim of discrediting Charles VII’s claim to the throne by having Joan condemned as a heretic.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dominic Sandbrook (05:28): “You can sense here the influence of the Arthurian chivalric romances… It’s as though one of the books they love… has come to life, isn’t it?”
• Tom Holland (15:05): “It was a miracle that the relief of Orleans was performed by a peasant girl.”
• Tom Holland (19:53): “[After the defeat of Talbot]: They have lost this reputation for invincibility… more damagingly perhaps…”
• Dominic Sandbrook (29:22): “…the Archbishop of Reims… goes into the city and then that evening he is followed by the Dauphin, Joan at his side. What an amazing scene.”
• Tom Holland (31:59): “Charles… announces that Jones Village, Domre Me, will be exempt in perpetuity from taxes.”
• Dominic Sandbrook (41:32): “It’s at precisely this point… that Joan’s star… you get the first signs that it’s just beginning to dim, don’t you?”
• Tom Holland (45:10): “There is one additional factor… the 8th of September is the birthday of the Virgin Mary. It is therefore seen as very disrespectful of Joan to have launched an attack on that day.”
• Dominic Sandbrook (53:16): “I reckon there’s a part of him [Charles VII] that thinks, thank God I’ve got rid of that... She was becoming a bit of an albatross.”
• Tom Holland (58:31): "The only person who doesn't win, of course, is Joan. And she, when she is informed that she is going to be sold to the English, hurls herself from the window of the 60 foot tower..."
• Tom Holland (60:19): “Joan is delivered into Rouen, a city she is destined never to leave. Because, Dominic, she has less than half a year to live.”

Timeline of Key Moments

• 00:41 — Letter from Guy de Laval: Joan’s stirring image and charisma.
• 15:41 — The focus shifts to Charles VII and the next prophesied goal: Reims.
• 19:06–21:28 — Joan’s military campaign: Jargeau and Patay.
• 29:22–31:01 — Charles VII’s coronation at Reims, with Joan’s pivotal presence.
• 34:23 — Joan appeals to Burgundy for peace (and war against the “Saracens”).
• 43:34 — Joan’s failed assault on Paris; first major military failure.
• 49:23–51:11 — Joan’s capture at Compiegne.
• 53:16–54:18 — Charles VII’s abandonment of Joan; no ransom attempt.
• 58:31–60:19 — Joan’s failed escape, purchase by the English, and her arrival in Rouen awaiting trial.

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, loaded with historical anecdotes, wry humor, occasional dramatized readings, and engaging analogies (e.g., mixing Joan’s image with King Arthur, David Bowie, Taylor Swift, or Lady Gaga; cricket and war strategy). The hosts blend sharp analysis with evident admiration, skepticism, and an eye for irony.

Conclusion

This episode dissects the mythos and reality of Joan of Arc’s final military triumphs, the beginning of her downfall, and the broader European context that shaped her fate. The hosts highlight Joan’s enduring symbolic power—even as her fortunes collapse—and prime the listener for the final chapter: Joan’s imprisonment, show trial, and lasting legacy.

Next Episode Teaser:
Joan’s trial—and her extraordinary final months—will be the focus of the concluding part.

End of summary.