Scott Alexander (author/host)

Footnote.

Disciple and limb of the fiend, called the pucelle, that's a maid or a virgin, that used false enchantments and sorceries.

Consistent spelling is an anachronism.

Back to the text.

She was a legend in Venice, where the representatives of the Morosini Bank sent back reports because they'd be useful in planning voyages.

Footnote, I love the Venetians.

They've got some of the best spy networks in Europe by this point, and they use them to deliver cargo safely and price loans accurately.

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And her legendary nature had concrete consequences.

After her arrival at Orleans, a militia had risen to support the French army.

Volunteers flooded into camp every day, some of them writing gushing letters home recounting how they had seen her, talked to her.

The Duke of Brittany, long a neutral in the conflict, sent his confessor over her to reassure her that the Duke would send his son with a mighty army to the King of France's support.

Footnote.

Joan, naturally enough, told the Bretons that, quote, Back to the text.

People invented the most heated rumours about her origins, full of wild speculation as they try to come up with coherent theories to explain how she ended up with all the skills she possesses.

This legendary status gave her a lot of influence with her fellow soldiers and officers and random commoners.

but less with the Dauphin.

Footnote.

Well, the people who had been her fellow random commoners two years ago anyway.

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