Early Life
Joan was the daughter of tenant farmers, though not poor, they were far from being rich. She was a quiet and pious young woman who was happy working on her family’s farm. Joan’s early childhood saw the re-start of the Hundred Years War between England and France. In 1415 Henry V invaded France and shattered the French knights at the battle of Agincourt. England occupied most of northern France, including Paris and threatened to occupy the rest of the kingdom, after entering into an alliance with the rebellious Burgundians. France was a lawless place during Joan’s childhood and youth. Her family suffered greatly at this time, like many peasant families because of English raids and the demands of French soldiers. One of the greatest threats faced by the poor people of France was from bands of mercenaries who had left the service of France or England. There were often bands of several thousand ex-mercenaries who plundered and killed the peasants in the countryside.