Plot Summary of Saint Joan

Prologue: The Castle of Vaucouleurs

Our story begins in the castle of Robert de Baudricourt, a military commander in northeastern France. It's 1429, and the Hundred Years' War is raging. We meet the young Joan of Arc, a peasant girl who claims to hear voices from God. She's determined to lead the French army and crown the Dauphin as King of France.

JOAN: I hear voices telling me what to do. They come from God.

Scene 1: The Court at Chinon

Joan arrives at the court of the Dauphin Charles, who is initially skeptical of her claims. In a clever twist, Charles disguises himself among his courtiers to test Joan. She immediately identifies him, impressing the court.

JOAN: Gentle Dauphin, I am sent to you by the King of Heaven to tell you that you shall be anointed and crowned in the cathedral at Rheims as rightful King of France.

Joan's conviction and apparent ability to recognize the disguised Dauphin convince Charles to give her a chance. This scene sets the stage for Joan's rise to prominence and the beginning of her military career.

Scene 2: The Dilemma

We shift to the English camp, where the Earl of Warwick and Bishop of Beauvais discuss the threat posed by Joan. They debate whether she's a witch, a heretic, or simply a clever girl manipulating events.

WARWICK: The girl is a miracle worker: she has given them back their courage and their confidence; she has set them free from the spell of defeat; and she has put fear into the hearts of the English soldiers.

This scene provides insight into the English perspective and foreshadows the eventual charges against Joan.

Scene 3: The Siege of Orléans

Joan leads the French army to a stunning victory at Orléans, breaking the English siege. Her success cements her reputation as a divinely inspired leader.

DUNOIS: Your voices were right, Joan. We shall raise the siege. We shall beat the goddams. We shall crown the King in Rheims cathedral.