Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Joan of Arc

The medieval history of Compiègne starts with a castle built by the Merovingian dynasty. Louis the Pious` son, Charles the Bald, renamed the town "Carolopolis". On the site of the olde Merovingian palace Charles founded the abbey "Notre-Dame de Carlopole" in 876. The abbey´s church was consecrated by Pope John VIII during a council held here in 877. The abbey renamed "Abbaye Saint-Corneille" existed up to the French Revolution. In 879 Louis the Stammerer, who had succeeded his father Charles, got buried here, as well as, 8 years later, Louis V, the last Carolingian monarch in West Francia. In 1430, during the Hundred Years' War, Joan of Arc was captured here by the Burgundians. They sold her to the English, who burned her at the stake in Rouen a year later. In 1918 the "Armistice of Compiègne" (aka "Armistice of 11 November 1918"), signed in railway carriage near the town, ended fighting of World War I. About 22 years later the "Armistice of 22 June 1940" was signed here, establishing the German occupation zone in France. Adolf Hitler chose Compiègne as the site to sign the armistice due to its symbolic role. Actually the same railway carriage was used again. The "Hôtel de Ville" was built from 1505 on.

Beaugency was an important place already within the 11th century. It has been the site of numerous military conflicts. During the Hundred Years' War it was occupied on four separate occasions by English troops. In 1429, it was the site of the Battle of Beaugency, when it was freed by Joan of Arc. It was burned down and looted by the Protestants in 1567, creating an extensive damage to the walls, the castle, and the churches. In 1870 the Prussian army defeated the French army of the Loire in the second Battle of Beaugency. During WWII the city was bombed twice by the German Luftwaffe. Seen behind the statue of Joan of Arc ("A Jeanne d'Arc - Liberatrice") is the tower of Saint-Firmin. This tower is the last remnant of an 11th-century church, that got demolished at the time of the French Revolution.

Beaugency was an important place already within the 11th century. It has been the site of numerous military conflicts. During the Hundred Years' War it was occupied on four separate occasions by English troops. In 1429, it was the site of the Battle of Beaugency, when it was freed by Joan of Arc. It was burned down and looted by the Protestants in 1567, creating an extensive damage to the walls, the castle, and the churches. In 1870 the Prussian army defeated the French army of the Loire in the second Battle of Beaugency. During WWII the city was bombed twice by the German Luftwaffe. The keep, named "Tour de César", is still 36m high. It dates back to the 11th century, but got enlarged and modified a couple of times later.

Seen here is the "Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc" as Joan of Arc ("The Maid of Orléans", "La Pucelle d'Orléans") was burned at the stake on 30 May 1431 at the age of 19. When I walked from Trier to Vezelay in 2005 I passed through the village of Domremy, where she was born 1412. Today she is a heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. Her statue can be found even in the smallest French village-churches.