Pilgrim Reindeer in Pisa, 1348
a free multimedia novel by
Thomas A. DuBois, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Pilgrim Reindeer in Pisa, 1348 a free multimedia novel by Thomas A. DuBois, University of Wisconsin-Madison |
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Part II. The Hansa Lands and France. 33. Up the Meuse [November 15, 1347]
In planning the novel, I naturally wanted to have some link to St. Jeanne d'Arc/Joan of Arc. She is in many ways a kindred soul to Bávlos. The only problem, of course, is that she lived much later than 1347: she was born around 1412 and met her death in 1431. So, whereas Bávlos is able to observe France at the beginning of the Hundred Years' War, Jeanne helped bring it to a century later. The character of Jacques let me link the two eras, tying them together through the family Arc, Jacques's visions while ill, and the image of fire. The chapter contains three prophecies regarding the Maid: Jacques promises that his descendents will always wait for Bávlos's return, Bávlos receives assurance from the saints in the chapel at Bermont that they will look out for Jacques's descendents, and Jacques's father wishes that someone from his village would arise to bring about an end to the war with England. Jeanne, who regularly came to the chapel to pray, and who first received instructions from the saints to lead France to victory, fulfills all these prophecies. The cranky old woman in Domrémy also expresses views that relate to St. Jeanne. When she is told that Nieiddash has antlers because she is a pregnant female, the old woman states that it is unnatural for women to dress as men. Of course, "Nieiddash" means "maiden," and St. Jeanne, too, dressed as a man. In fact, it was her dressing in male clothing which was virtually the only crime for which she was convicted, a crime for which she was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431.
