What did Sir William de la Pole say when the bathroom light went out? Jeanne d'Arc!
On this date in 1429, the armies of France, led by St. Joan of Arc, lifted the siege of Orleans. This proved a major turning point for the French forces after their defeat by the English at Agincourt in 1415.
The victory at Orleans led to more French successes in the Loire Valley and finally, the attack on the English forces in Paris itself. It is no exaggeration to say that Joan's lifting the siege at Orleans marked the beginning of the nation of France.
This January 6, Joan's birthday, was the premiere of New Orleans' latest Carnival celebration the St. Joan of Arc Parade. A traditional walking parade, the route wound through the French Quarter to the Place de France, where stands the city's beautiful gilded statue of St. Joan.
Today, on the 580th anniversary of the end of the siege at Orleans, the parade's sponsors held a celebration of Joan's victory and the expansion of The Joan of Arc Project, whose mission is to increase awareness of the role of Joan in the creation of France and the relationship of France to her daughter, New Orleans.
Held at the Bienville House hotel in the French Quarter, the event was supported by groups as diverse as the Garden District Book Shop, the French Market Corporation, Saintsforsinners.com and The Council of French Societies.
For more information on the Project, a calendar of events and details on next Twelfth Night's parade and fete, visit the JoanOfArcProject.org site.
And, to complete your divertissement, here are a few pics from today's event.
Pierre Pichon and band play French gypsy jazz
Party favors: Ceramic white butterflies like those that followed Joan's banner. . .
. . . and Atomic Fireballs
Joan and friends arrive. Traffic wasn't too bad. . .
. . . but parking was a bitch
Singing the "Marche Lorraine"
Project Director Amy Kirk-Duvoisin and friends
GF's exquisite and disturbing reliquary of St. Joan
Les babes formidables de France