The armor of Joan of Arc

Jim McDougall · 26th May 2019, 04:48 PM

It seems years ago (1996) a French collector acquired a harness (suit of armor) that had been with a French family for generations, and it was suggested this had been the armor of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc).
There were repairs apparently which were said to correspond to wounds she received at the siege of Orleans in 1429, but later investigators disclaimed this.

Does anyone know the final disposition of this armor? was it proven or disproven? and have other items been found, such as her sword?

I had previously brought this armor up in another thread earlier this month, but thought it might be better discussed in its own thread.

fernando · 26th May 2019, 06:07 PM

That man is Pierre de Souzy, a Parisian antiquary, who bought the armour from a French Lady, whose family had kept it since 1760, when her ancestor acquired it from a Bitish businessman.
Actually Pierre has bought this armour as a mere historic curiosity, believing it was moulded for a youngster.
When one day his daughter tried it on, his wife said; we could call you Joana D'Arc. This was what triggered the antiquarian to research the probable relic in national museums. He then was lucky to have it dated from XV century, the period of the Orleans maiden.
Detailed examination revealed dents on the helm and chest piece, corresponding to blows suffered in the battle of Jargeau, in the siege of Orleans and the attempt to take over Paris.
For Jean-Pierre Duchiron, specialist in armour and curator of the Musée de l'Armée, the armour was made to fit a woman. Such observation helped proving the authenticity of the piece. In 6th April 1429 Joana has been in Tours, by order of Carlos VII. In the city, she would receive a sword, a new banner and an armour set made under measure. We know it had 28 Kilos of plates - a neck piece with 5 or 6 pieces overlaped, a sort of bluson of tight steel, plates covering the hips, a steel skirt and more ieces of bent steel for the elbows, knees, legs and feet. Her helm most probably had a steel band in the chin and a visor that protected her face (Donald Spoto)
Since 1929 the facade of a house in Tours reminds the spot where Joana d'Arc's armour was produced: A la Puselle Armée.
After the failure in taking over Paris, Joana would have left the armour in the Abbey of Saint-Denis, as an ex-vote.
The helm, however, made Duchiron disagree from other experts in that the armour had in fact belonged to the French heroine. Journalist William J. Kole used the armour style to contest the authenticity of the relic. Souzy's gothic armour was not in fashion during Joana's period; her actual armour should have had rather less detail.
Like in the case of her famous ring, the relic veracity is not unanimous; and its origin is also cloudy.
For some specialists, Joana could have either left it in Saint-Denis, or having been captured with it. In both cases, the armour set, that would have cost 100 war horses, could have been disembarked in England as war trophy.
And ... in case the armour possessed by de Souzy is the real thing, the relic would have discreetly returned to France in 1760.

(A 2 hour translation of an article by Fábio Tucci Farah e Carlos Evaristo)

.

Jim McDougall · 26th May 2019, 10:59 PM

That is a VERY good report Fernando!!!
I will give you an A+ and YOU should get the lollipop!!!

Well done and thank you very much......now I can sleep better, these kinds of questions always haunt me at night.

Chris Evans · 27th May 2019, 08:51 AM

Hi Jim and Fernando,

A big thanks to you both for those very readable and informative articles.

Cheers
Chris

Jim McDougall · 28th May 2019, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Hi Jim and Fernando,

A big thanks to you both for those very readable and informative articles.

Cheers
Chris

Chris I'm glad you found this interesting, and thank you for saying so!

26th May 2019, 04:48 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	The armor of Joan of Arc It seems years ago (1996) a French collector acquired a harness (suit of armor) that had been with a French family for generations, and it was suggested this had been the armor of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc). There were repairs apparently which were said to correspond to wounds she received at the siege of Orleans in 1429, but later investigators disclaimed this. Does anyone know the final disposition of this armor? was it proven or disproven? and have other items been found, such as her sword? I had previously brought this armor up in another thread earlier this month, but thought it might be better discussed in its own thread. Attached Images

26th May 2019, 06:07 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Here you are a lollipop, Jim That man is Pierre de Souzy, a Parisian antiquary, who bought the armour from a French Lady, whose family had kept it since 1760, when her ancestor acquired it from a Bitish businessman. Actually Pierre has bought this armour as a mere historic curiosity, believing it was moulded for a youngster. When one day his daughter tried it on, his wife said; we could call you Joana D'Arc. This was what triggered the antiquarian to research the probable relic in national museums. He then was lucky to have it dated from XV century, the period of the Orleans maiden. Detailed examination revealed dents on the helm and chest piece, corresponding to blows suffered in the battle of Jargeau, in the siege of Orleans and the attempt to take over Paris. For Jean-Pierre Duchiron, specialist in armour and curator of the Musée de l'Armée, the armour was made to fit a woman. Such observation helped proving the authenticity of the piece. In 6th April 1429 Joana has been in Tours, by order of Carlos VII. In the city, she would receive a sword, a new banner and an armour set made under measure. We know it had 28 Kilos of plates - a neck piece with 5 or 6 pieces overlaped, a sort of bluson of tight steel, plates covering the hips, a steel skirt and more ieces of bent steel for the elbows, knees, legs and feet. Her helm most probably had a steel band in the chin and a visor that protected her face (Donald Spoto) Since 1929 the facade of a house in Tours reminds the spot where Joana d'Arc's armour was produced: A la Puselle Armée. After the failure in taking over Paris, Joana would have left the armour in the Abbey of Saint-Denis, as an ex-vote. The helm, however, made Duchiron disagree from other experts in that the armour had in fact belonged to the French heroine. Journalist William J. Kole used the armour style to contest the authenticity of the relic. Souzy's gothic armour was not in fashion during Joana's period; her actual armour should have had rather less detail. Like in the case of her famous ring, the relic veracity is not unanimous; and its origin is also cloudy. For some specialists, Joana could have either left it in Saint-Denis, or having been captured with it. In both cases, the armour set, that would have cost 100 war horses, could have been disembarked in England as war trophy. And ... in case the armour possessed by de Souzy is the real thing, the relic would have discreetly returned to France in 1760. (A 2 hour translation of an article by Fábio Tucci Farah e Carlos Evaristo) . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 26th May 2019 at 06:29 PM.

26th May 2019, 10:59 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	That is a VERY good report Fernando!!! I will give you an A+ and YOU should get the lollipop!!! Well done and thank you very much......now I can sleep better, these kinds of questions always haunt me at night.

27th May 2019, 08:51 AM	#4
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 678	Hi Jim and Fernando, A big thanks to you both for those very readable and informative articles. Cheers Chris