The estimated birth date of Jehanne d'Arc was around Janurary 6th 1412, in the village Domremy, Lorraine, France. Joan was baptized and was given four godfathers.
The name Joan of Arc is an english alteration of her real name Jehanne d'Arc. The name Joan of Arc was used only after her death. She preferred to be called "Jehanne le Pucelle," or "Joan the maid."
Joan (Jehanne, or Jeanne) was surrounded by her three brothers Jacquemin the oldest, John the second child, and Pierre (Peter) the youngest. Although Joan did have an older sister Catherine, who was not much younger than Jacquemin, but married early and was out of her parent's home. Joan's parents were known to be peasants, but lived well-off in the country.
Little is known of Joan's earliest childhood, but around the age of twelve or thirteen years old it is known that she was educated on sewing, cooking, homemaking, and helping out with farm work. She was also taught about religion from her mother. Joan and other children watched after cattle, and also payed together on holidays.
One day during the Hundred Year (1337-1453) when Joan was about the age of thirteen, her village of Domremy was raided and robbers stole all the cattle from the village,and rode off with belonging from the villagers. The peasants were not killed, and the houses were not burned down.
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young and scared to understand what the angels were trying to convey. She ignored the visions, but in the passing days they returned again and again. Soon Joan was no longer frightened by the imagines because she had become so accustomed to the sight of them. She eventually grew to enjoy her vision, and felt at peace when hey came about. The archangel Michael praised and told her that she was good girl and that God would help. He also told her that St. Catherine and St. Margaret will come to her and give her the message of God, and that she should obey their words. Finally, the two crowned angels came to Joan and told her that it was up to her to drive out the English, and to lead Charles VII to his coronation (crowning) at Reims.
In May 1428, at the age of 16 Joan left her home to begin her calling. She had many jobs and the farm knew that leaving her parent's home would be disobedient, but asked for her parent's permission and explained that it was what God was asking her to do. After her parents granted her permission she bravely took off to Vaucouleuers to seek authorization from the garrison commander (the local leader in charge of the facility and the day to day operations), CaptainRobert Baudricourt. Once she was in front of Baudricourt she told him that she must help Charles VII.
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| Joan of Arc leaving Vaucouleurs |
