St Catherine and St. Margaret costumes

St. Catherine and St. Margaret appeared to her with "beautiful crowns" on their heads. - trial record of Jeanne.

 

Promises to the King

Now, at the age of thirteen, Jeanne began to hear voices that she felt were sent by God. These voices presented her with the mission of saving France from it enemies and install Charles as the rightful king. Interestingly, she took a vow of chastity as part of her divine endeavour. She even went to a local court at the age of sixteen to avoid marriage.

In May 1428, Jeanne went to Vaucouleurs, a nearby stronghold of those loyal to Charles. Robert de Baudricourt, the magistrate, rejected her, initially, but she persisted. When Baudricort finally came around, Jeanne cut her hair short and dressed in men’s clothes to set off to Chinon, the site of the crown prince’s palace.

Jeanne promised Charles she would see him crowned king at Reims (the traditional site of French royal investiture) and asked him to grant her an army to lead to Orléans, which was under the English at the time. Against the advice of most of his councellors and generals, Charles granted her request, and Jeanne set off for Orléans in March of 1429 dressed in white armor and riding a white horse.

Jeanne succeeded in lifting the siege at Orléans and coronated the King.



Promises to Remember:

• Chastity
• Dressing up as a man
• Crowing the Dauphin at Reims

Bibliography :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc
http://www.history.com/topics/saint-joan-of-arc
~Sarah Minz

Vêtements

During this period the French was facing poverty and hence the use of rich clothing was forbidden until the release of King John. However, Noble Lords and Ladies insulted the nation during this tough time and broke the rules that held them back from wearing gold, silver, or fur on their garments or open hoods, or any other sort of ornaments. The widows were unable to protest against these norms and wore voilettes,crepines, and couverchefs.

Only the wealthy would wear fashionable clothing. The style and design of the French were dictated by their hierarchy and social standing. One's social standing could be judged based on their clothing. The Women clothing was still influenced by the Greek and Roman clothing, at times it was so tight that it would emphasize every inch of the woman body. The fashion in France was fickle as they were always ready to borrow from any style clothes and fashion.

Source:

http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-clothing/

http://world4.eu/french-fashion-in-the-middle-ages/ 

Many missions, many flags.

WHY?
Jeanne used three ensigns or flags, two of which were for military use (the standard and pennon), and one for religious purposes, the banner.

1. The standard (3 feet in height, 12 feet long, ending with two tails), denoting her command of the battle. 

• Made of a white fabric called 'boucassin', fringed with white silk. 
• Painted in the style of the last Judgement.
• On front the figure of Christ holding the world, and an angel on either side, flanked above by the words "Jhesus Maria".
• On the back, two angels bearing the coat of arms of the Dauphin.
• Numerous fleur-de-lis in the background.

   2. The pennon (triangular in shape), denoting her new knighthood.

• Similar fleur-de-lis background and "Jhesus Maria"
• Painted like the Annunciation
• The archangel Gabriel presenting a natural lily to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• A dove painted over an azure area holding in its beak a streamer with the inscription 'De par le Roy du Ciel' (The King of Heaven commands it)

• If assumed that the dove represented God, the pennon thus implies that the Holy Spirit testified that Jeanne's message came from God.

 








 3. The banner, which served as an identification toward the knight's disposition or character.

• Jeanne's banner carried the scene of the Crucifixion 
• Created for the priests and men of the army
• Used to assemble for morning and evening prayers.

SOURCE:

http://www.stjoan-center.com/2012-frohlick/

http://www.stjoan-center.com/j-cc/

Men = Bob Cuts and no facial hair.

WHY?
Men of the 1400s wore their hair in a bob cut. Their facial hair was shaved and they grew their hair till their shoulders or ears!

 


Source:
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/hairstyles-in-the-renaissance-period/ http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8116017_hairstyles-men-women-1400s.html