Joan of Arc and 'The Great Pity of the Land of France

Moya Longstaffe

Joan of Arc and 'The Great Pity of the Land of France
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Amberley Publishing
Country
United Kingdom
Published
15 December 2019
Pages
416
ISBN
9781445696218

Joan of Arc and ‘The Great Pity of the Land of France

Moya Longstaffe

Joan of Arc’s life and death mark a turning point in the destiny both of France and England and the history of their monarchies. “It is a great shame,‘ wrote Etienne Pasquier in the late sixteenth century, "for no one ever came to the help of France so opportunely and with such success as that girl, and never was the memory of a woman so torn to shreds.’ Biographers have crossed swords furiously about her inspiration, each according to the personal conviction of the writer. As Moya Longstaffe points out: "She has been claimed as an icon by zealous combatants of every shade of opinion, clericals, anticlericals, nationalists, republicans, socialists, conspiracy theorists, feminists, yesterday’s communists, today’s Front National, everyone with a need for a figurehead. As George Bernard Shaw said, in the prologue to his play, The question raised by Joan’s burning is a burning question still. ‘ By returning to the original sources and employing her expertise in languages, the author brings La Pucelle alive and does not duck the most difficult question: was she deluded, unbalanced, fraudulent - or indeed a great visionary, to be compared to Catherine of Siena or Francis of Assisi?

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in 10-14 days

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.