Kaleidoscope

Strolling in a book shop on a busy saturday evening, I started thinking about Joan of Arc. While it is admirable for a young woman to lead an army at the age of 17,a question popped in my mind; How come several centuries ago, a woman of 17 was accepted by a male dominated 'WAR' oriented society as their leader?

As soon as I returned from the shop, I googled to learn about her. Wikipedia has a very interesting, moving account of her life.

I learnt that the 'then king' let her lead the army after consistent failures that deprived the morale of his troops. How she managed to meet the king for an interview itself is a very interesting tale.

Not only did she led the army to victory which was an unrealized dream for the french for several years, but also she endured physical and moral assaults with enormous courage. She is considered illiterate, yet her answers during the trial after her capture are admirable.

It is sad to learn about the avoidance of the 'then king' of France  to free her from prison while all it required was a sum of money to be paid.

The wikipedia article also explains the rules of the 15th century about clothing and that the technical reason for her execution was an ancient clothing law!!! What a glorious excuse people found to hide their fear to face a fearless person?  

You can learn more about Joan of Arc from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc)

Thanks to Joan of Arc, to Wikipedia for the article and the picture. This picture in wikipedia is by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1854).