The siege of Orléans marked Joan’s most significant and celebrated victory. The English had besieged the city for several months, and its fall would have dealt a fatal blow to the French cause. When Joan arrived in April 1429, the situation was desperate. However, within days, her encouragement and spiritual fervor transformed the French troops.

On May 7, 1429, under Joan's spiritual leadership, the French launched a major assault on the English-held fort of Les Tourelles. Joan was wounded by an arrow but returned to lead the final charge. Her courage and determination inspired the soldiers, who ultimately drove the English from the city. The siege was lifted on May 8, and the victory at Orléans became a turning point in the war.

The success electrified France. For the first time in years, the French saw hope. Joan's fame spread rapidly, and she was hailed as a deliverer sent by God.

The March to Reims and the Coronation of Charles VII

After the victory at Orléans, Joan urged Charles VII to press forward and claim his crown. The traditional coronation city was Reims, deep in enemy-held territory. Against the advice of his counselors, Charles followed Joan’s guidance.

In a bold and rapid campaign through hostile territory, Joan and the French forces captured towns and cleared the path to Reims. On July 17, 1429, Charles VII was anointed and crowned King of France in the cathedral of Reims, with Joan standing proudly at his side.

This coronation was more than a political event; it was a spiritual and national triumph. It reaffirmed Charles’s legitimacy as king and validated Joan’s divine mission. The coronation at Reims solidified Joan’s position as a national heroine.

Additional Campaigns and Achievements

Following the coronation, Joan continued to campaign for the full liberation of France. She participated in the unsuccessful siege of Paris in September 1429 and several smaller battles in the Loire Valley. Though not all these campaigns ended in success, Joan's presence continued to inspire loyalty and faith in the French cause.

However, political tensions grew. Some of Charles VII’s advisors began to distrust Joan’s influence and popularity. Despite her service, Joan found herself increasingly sidelined. shutdown123