She was the Standard bearer so her holding a Sword, while ok, still means the previous Version of the bodette isn´t as correct as she could be.
What did her banner look like?
Extract from her Trial of Condemnation, Fourth public examination, Febuary 27, 1431, at Rouen;
Question. When you were at Orleons, you had an "ensign" (Normally translated into English as Standard) What Colour was it?
Answer. I had a Standard whose field was sown with lilies. There was a figure of Christ Holding the world and on each side of him was an Angel. it was made of a White fabric called "boucassin*".
Written above, Jhesus Maria, as it seems to me, and it was fringed in silk.
*As a direct Translation ; A Course Cotton or linen Cloth stiffened with glue. Fine for bookbinding but not for a battle Standard.
In the medieval period it was called "Bokeram", "Bougran" and Boucassin" and was used for flags, Banners, pennons, clothing and bedding and would just have been a fine Cotton Cloth and not stiffened.
Here´s a really good (unfortunately not updated) blog on the subject
"A Commonplace Book".
Fabulous Paul,
ReplyDeleteDid you paint it or print it?
All the best for your projects and plans in 2020
cheers
Matt
Thanks Matt :-) I cheated. printed Version but bits were painted over to bring out the Colours.
DeleteInteresting, is having an ensign the same as carrying it? I depicted it as being carried by her bodyguard Jean D'Aulon, but maybe it should have been the other way round.
ReplyDeleteShe is often said by eye witnesses that she carried it and At her trial she stated the reason why, “to avoid killing anybody,” adding that she “liked forty times more her standard than her sword” and "I have told you often enough, that I had nothing done but by the command of God. It was I, myself who bore this banner, when I attacked the enemy, to save killing any one, for I have never killed any one.” (from the Trial of condemnation, Fourth public examination, Tuesday, February 27th 1431)
DeleteI actually was going to use another bod to create a Standard bearer seprate of Joan but then decided she should have the honour.
Here, Siege of Orleans, witness statemnet from DÁulon from the Trial of nullification, 1455.
DeleteJean DÁulon started with the Standard, gave it to another, Le basque, but Joan took it foward
"the lords and the captains who were with her, seeing that they could not well gain it this day, considering how late it was and also that they were all very tired and worn out, agreed among them to sound the retreat for the army. This was done, and, at the sound of the trumpet call, each one retreated for the day. During this retreat, [Aulon] who had been carrying the standard of the Pucelle and still holding it upright in front of the boulevard was fatigued and worn-out, and gave the standard to one named Le Basque, who was with the Lord of Villars. And because [Aulon] knew Le Basque to be a brave man, and he feared that harm would come from the retreat, and that the fortress and the Boulevard would remain in the hands of the enemy, he had the idea that if the standard were pushed ahead, due to the great affection in which it was held by the soldiers, they could by this means win the boulevard. And then [Aulon] asked Le Basque if he would follow him when he entered and went to the foot of the boulevard; he said and swore he would this. And then [Aulon] entered the ditch and went up to the base of the side of the Boulevard, covering himself with a shield for fear of the stones, of discontent on the other side, believing that he would following step-by-step Boulevard, covering himself with a shield for fear the stones, and left his companion on the other side, believing that he would follow him step-by-step. but when the Pucelle saw her standard in the hand of Le Basque, because she believed that she had lost it, as [Aulon] who had been carrying it had gone into the trench, she came and took the standard by the end in such a way that he had to let it go, crying, "Ha! My standard! My standard!" And she shook the standard in such a way that the one who is testifying imagined that others might think that she was making a sign to the others by doing this. And then he who was speaking cried: "Ha, Basque! Is this what you promised me?" And then Le Basque tugged at the standard that he dragged it from the hand of the Pucelle, and after this, he went to [Aulon] and brought the standard. Because of these things, all those in the army of the Pucelle gathered together and rallied again, assailed this boulevard in such great fierceness that, a short time afterwards, the boulevard and the fortress were taken by them, and abandoned by the enemy, and the French entered the city of Orleans by the Bridge"
Boulevard = Bullwark.
I´d assume they were on foot at the time but there is also a Statement that she carried her banner as she rode into orleans (from the Trial of Condemnation) and that she was so pressed by the crowd that a torch Held by one set it on fire. This could be the pennon Version not the later, and heavier staandard Version, which, it would make more logic if a man carried it.
Actually, you´ve given me a great idea :-)
DeleteVery beautiful! The banner is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding, Paul!
ReplyDeleteBest regards
WM
Wonderful job on this famous character...and beautiful banner!
ReplyDeleteVery good banner but very big!
ReplyDeleteI like BIG Banners/flags :-) Looks a bit more imposing
DeleteThat is a fantastic banner and painted miniature.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
Tony
My favorite image of Joan: http://www.maidofheaven.com/joanofarc_pictures3d3.asp
ReplyDelete