Scott Alexander (author/host)

The Duke of Orleans had been ransomed.

Orleans had been relieved.

The King crowned.

Could she go home now?

Her voices didn't have any more tasks for her.

Take Paris instead of dithering was just common sense.

instantly vetoed.

Of course she couldn't leave.

She was his best general.

Instead, the king gave her brother's arms and lands and knighthood and made her follow the army around instead of going home.

Occasionally, during long periods of truce, she had a job to do, like investigating a fake saint.

And when the campaign eventually resumed, she was with the army again.

But he didn't listen to her, and he didn't let her go.

Footnote on fake saints.

There was a woman named Catherine de Rochelle going around fundraising for the war, in quotes.

She claimed that she had God-given power to find hidden treasure, and she'd use it on anyone who didn't contribute to the war effort via her enough.

and then she'd publicly reveal all their hidden wealth, and they implicitly would be under enough pressure from their neighbours to donate it.

This worked to get donations and give her a comfortable living, but the King of France heard of her and, already having been bailed out of a crisis by one miraculous maid, asked Joan to check if she was real.

Joan's voices said no, but she went and talked to her and spent two nights watching her every movement and saw no angels, and reported back, I have no evidence she is.

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