Joan of Arc and the Lifting of the Siege of Orléans (April 29 – May 8, 1429)

On April 29, 1429, Joan of Arc arrived at Orléans, a city that had been under English siege for five months and was on the verge of collapse. Though Jean d’Orléans, Count of Dunois, initially excluded her from war councils, Joan’s presence and spiritual leadership soon became a turning point in the siege.

Within days of her arrival, the French forces, inspired by Joan, launched a series of offensives that culminated in the capture of Les Tourelles on May 7 and the complete retreat of the English on May 8. This unexpected victory transformed Joan’s reputation, convincing many that she was divinely sent to save France.

I. Joan’s Arrival and Initial Exclusion from Military Decisions

• Jean d’Orléans (the Bastard of Orléans), acting head of the ducal family, initially kept Joan out of military councils.
• Despite this, Joan was present at most discussions and battles, and many noble commanders followed her advice, believing it was divinely inspired.
• Joan later stated that she carried her banner in battle rather than wielding a sword, claiming she never killed anyone.
• Historians debate the extent of her direct military leadership, but agree that the army experienced unprecedented success during her time with it.

II. The French Counteroffensive Begins (May 4–7, 1429)

1. Capture of Saint-Loup (May 4, 1429)

• The Armagnacs launched their first major attack, seizing the English outpost at Saint-Loup, marking a decisive shift in the siege.

2. Capture of Les Augustins and Skirmishes (May 5–6, 1429)

• The French forces marched on Saint-Jean-le-Blanc, finding it deserted.
• English troops emerged but were driven back by a rapid cavalry charge.
• The Armagnacs attacked and captured Les Augustins, another key English fortification.

3. Assault on Les Tourelles (May 7, 1429)

• Les Tourelles, the main English stronghold on the south bank of the Loire, was the final obstacle to breaking the siege.
• During the battle, Joan was wounded by an arrow between her neck and shoulder, but returned later in the day to rally the troops.
• Her presence inspired the final assault, which overwhelmed the English defenders and secured the fortress.

III. The English Retreat and the End of the Siege (May 8, 1429)

• With Les Tourelles lost, the English forces retreated from Orléans on May 8.
• The siege was broken, marking the first major French victory in years.

IV. Joan’s Prophecy Fulfilled: A Divine Sign?

• At Chinon and Poitiers, Joan had declared she would provide a sign—her success at Orléans was widely seen as divine proof of her mission.
• Prominent clergy, including the Archbishop of Embrun and theologian Jean Gerson, wrote treatises in support of her after the victory.
• The lifting of the siege boosted Charles VII’s legitimacy and paved the way for his coronation at Reims.

V. Consequences and the Path to Reims

• The victory at Orléans marked a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War, as Joan’s leadership reinvigorated the French cause.
• Her next objective was to bring Charles VII to Reims for his long-delayed coronation, further strengthening his claim to the French throne.

The lifting of the Siege of Orléans (April–May 1429) was the defining moment in Joan of Arc’s early military career, fulfilling her prophecy and transforming the course of the Hundred Years’ War.