On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in the marketplace of Rouen. It had only been about two years since she had traveled to Chinon in an attempt to convince the French crown prince, Charles of Valois, that with her help, he would take his rightful place on the French throne. However, despite her many victories with the French army that followed, particularly at Orleans, Joan was ultimately taken captive by opposing forces, who put her on trial for a variety of charges, including witchcraft, heresy, and dressing like a man.
Joan of Arc’s story was surprisingly well-documented for the time period in which she lived. Thus, we have learned so much about her, including about her unwavering piety, determination, and inner strength when she was all alone in captivity for a year. Eventually, she relented and signed a confession that she had never received guidance from God. Only a few days later, however, she defied orders and once again began dressing like a man. This defiance was enough to sentence her to death. Unfortunately, King Charles VII of France chose to distance himself from someone who was now convicted of being a “witch” and did not even attempt to negotiate for her release.
During her short lifetime, Joan of Arc managed to captivate all of France, motivate and inspire the entire French army, and restore Charles of Valois to the French throne. In the end, she was very much abandoned, and yet she never lost her deep sense of resolve, courage, and conviction.
When we launched our original Joan of Arc Goddess Pendant, it became an instant best seller, which was not surprising. Joan’s fame increased rapidly following her unjust execution, cementing her legacy as a savior of France, and, to this day, it continues to inspire all who learn of her story. The fact that a female teen in the 1400s could galvanize an entire nation during wartime is nothing short of astonishing. It speaks to Joan’s profound inner strength and confidence that she was able to persevere in the face of crushing opposition and injustice.
Her strong character continued to resonate with the people of France and beyond. Approximately 25 years after Joan’s execution, Pope Callixtus III had an inquisitorial court investigate the original trial, which resulted in nullifying the trial’s verdict (declaring it corrupted by deceit and procedural errors) and exonerating Joan. In 1920, Joan of Arc was canonized, officially becoming Saint Joan.
Our new Special Edition Joan of Arc Collection features a new Goddess pendant depicting Joan sitting confidently on a horse as she leads French soldiers into battle. The collection also features Fleur de Lis pieces, French Cross pieces, Coat of Arms Necklaces and Rings, and more, all designed to complement the Special Edition pendant.
Wearing these new Joan pieces symbolize the donning of armor. When you put them on, you will be inspired to dig deep inside and unearth your own strength and confidence - attributes you might have allowed to lie dormant for a time. Remember, with Joan of Arc by your side, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.