These images show authenticated signatures of Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) which she penned during her military and political campaigns.
The signature reads "Jehanne," which is the medieval French spelling of her name.
Jeanne never learned to read or write, except her own signature. According to modern handwriting experts who studied the signatures on her letters, Jeanne was left-handed. She is thought to have been illiterate, obtaining no former schooling except what she learned from her mother, Isabelle. She often dictated her letters to her page Louis de Contes and her priest, Father Jean Pasquerel. Her dictated letters show tremendous passion, devotion and compassion, even for the enemies of France. When it came to signing her name, her signature evolved from a simple “X” to her first name, Jehanne.
Experts have noted that her handwriting improves in clarity and grace between the first and third examples, which suggests she was still actively learning to write her name during this period. Modern handwriting analysis of these three surviving originals indicates that Joan was likely left-handed.
Except for one elementary line drawing rendered while she was alive, these signatures are the closest tangible things we have of Jeanne d’Arc herself. They are believed to be the only surviving elements from her own hand. All three of these letters exist in their original forms and have been archived. Other direct personal relics have not survived through the ages.
The signatures are dated November 9, 1429, March 16, 1430, and March 28, 1430, correspond to the final years of her life.
Each signature belongs to a specific historical document:
November 9, 1429: The earliest known example, found on a letter to the people of Riom requesting supplies for a military campaign.
March 16, 1430: A response to the citizens of Rheims who feared an impending siege by English forces.
March 28, 1430: Her final known signature, on a second letter to Rheims summarizing recent events and encouraging them to remain loyal to King Charles VII.
Joan of Arc is not actually from 'Arc.' Her surname 'd'Arc' is likely a misspelling of her father's surname 'Darc,' which was further confused by the surnames of 'de Arc' and 'Arcensis' given to her in Latin upon her canonization as a saint.
Lettres de la Pucelle aux habitants de Reims – 16 mars 1430
Letters from the Maid to the inhabitants of Reims - March 16, 1430
Lettre de la Pucelle aux habitants de Riom – 9 novembre 1429
Letter from the Maid to the inhabitants of Riom - November 9, 1429
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