Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle): Difference between revisions

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This discussion of Saint Joan is analysis not narrative. Although the narrative is presented, the approach here is thematic not strictly chronological. To review a straight chronology of her life, please see the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc Timeline|Joan of Arc Timeline]] or find a good narrative treatment of her from the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc bibliography|Joan of Arc bibliography]].

As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will not use isolated "proof-text" to support the claims, but will instead attempt to consider it across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic ~~statements~~, which ~~like those of the sybils to whom she was compared in her day,~~ are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. But it's not just about Joan of Arc ~~and her Visions~~: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.

As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will not use isolated "proof-text" to support the claims, but will instead attempt to consider them across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic Visions, which are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. But it's not just about Joan of Arc: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.

Finally, as my arguments are contingent upon larger historical context before and after the life of Saint Joan, I encourage the reader to explore the history more largely in the sources listed in the footnotes and bibliography.

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 This discussion of Saint Joan is analysis not narrative. Although the narrative is presented, the approach here is thematic not strictly chronological. To review a straight chronology of her life, please see the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc Timeline|Joan of Arc Timeline]] or find a good narrative treatment of her from the [[Saint Joan of Arc (Jeanne la Pucelle)/Joan of Arc bibliography|Joan of Arc bibliography]].
-As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will not use isolated "proof-text" to support the claims, but will instead attempt to consider it across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic statements, which like those of the sybils to whom she was compared in her day, are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. But it's not just about Joan of Arc and her Visions: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.
+As with any valid historical analysis, this one weighs the evidence, adopts a perspective, and tests it against the historical and historiographic record. The extensive record of Saint Joan allows for cherry-picking and unsupported interpretation of witness motives, so, unlike many histories of Joan of Arc, mine will not use isolated "proof-text" to support the claims, but will instead attempt to consider them across broader connections. While some conclusions may be speculative, they will always be grounded in the record and drawing from it, especially as regards some of Joan's prophetic Visions, which are ever open for interpretation. Just because an interpretation is arguable does not make it erroneous. But it's not just about Joan of Arc: historians engage in this type of interpretation all the time. It is the essence of the craft.
 Finally, as my arguments are contingent upon larger historical context before and after the life of Saint Joan, I encourage the reader to explore the history more largely in the sources listed in the footnotes and bibliography.