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How did Joan of Arc influence the military tactics of her era?

Lue Sterland

Well hello there! Let me tell you all about Joan of Arc and her influence on military tactics during her era. Are you ready to dive into this historical adventure? Let's go!

Joan of Arc was a remarkable French heroine who changed the course of history with her bravery and cunning military tactics. Born in 1412 in Domrémy, France, Joan was a peasant girl who had visions of God and angels telling her that she was chosen to lead the French army to victory during the Hundred Years War. Her visions led her to persuade a local nobleman to introduce her to the French dauphin, Charles VII, who was hesitant to meet with her at first. However, Joan's charisma and determination won him over and she was given command of a section of the French army.

Now, in those days, military tactics were all about brute force. It was a case of ‘run at the enemy with all your might and hope for the best’. But Joan wasn't having any of that. She knew she needed to be strategic, cunning and innovative in order to defeat the well-trained and well-equipped English forces.

One of her first strategic moves was to use the element of surprise. Rather than engage in direct combat with the English, Joan's army would appear suddenly from unexpected directions, catching the enemy off guard and forcing them to retreat or surrender. She also introduced night attacks, which were unheard of at the time, and used them to devastating effect against the English.

Another key tactic Joan used to great effect was the use of artillery. Up until then, artillery had only been used to support infantry during sieges. But Joan saw the potential of artillery as a direct weapon against the enemy, and she used it to deadly effect during several battles. This proved to be a game-changer, as the English were caught completely off guard by this new tactic.

Another weapon in Joan's arsenal was the use of intelligence. She would send out spies to gather information about the enemy's movements, troop numbers and supplies. This allowed her to plan her attacks more effectively, and to take advantage of weaknesses in the English defenses.

Joan's military tactics were innovative, strategic and effective. She was a brilliant leader who inspired her troops with her courage and determination, and raised their morale by leading successful campaigns against the English. She also proved to be an effective diplomat, negotiating peace treaties with other French nobles and strengthening the unity of the French forces.

In conclusion, Joan of Arc was a true military genius who revolutionized the way wars were fought during her era. Her strategic innovations and use of intelligence, artillery and surprise attacks changed the course of the Hundred Years War and helped secure French sovereignty. So let's raise a glass to Joan, the Maid of Orleans, and her brilliant military tactics. May her memory inspire us all to be strategic thinkers and innovative leaders. Cheers!