Today is definitely a highlight as we visit the city that
has the infamous claim to be where Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) was burned at the
stake for heresy. In the morning, as we
sailed through the pastoral scenery dotted with spring lambs and calves which
soon revealed white cliffs of limestone, our Program guide Clara gave us a
detailed but concise background history of the story. Of course, you can check with your Uncle
Google for a complete refresher but Clara did make it amusing as well as
tragic.
Sixteen year old Joan of Arc led the French armies to
victories against the English. Then
because the king was embarrassed by this and the church was powerful, she was
tried because she had claimed to be divinely led and this was heresy. Also she was guilty of one of the great sins
that could be in that day…she wore men’s trousers! Although she was jailed she had her life as
long as she promised to never do it again.
But – she did! She had been
placed in the men’s prison and either did so as a protective method or it was
all they gave her!
When she was burned alive at the stake, her ashes were
scooped up and re - burned two more times and then cast into the Seine so that
there would be no ability for French people to pay homage or pilgrimage to a
burial site. Her Mother later petitioned
the King, whined and nagged, to have her proclaimed innocent. After all, without her, he would not have
been king!
Christophe led our tour and was really knowledgeable about
the history of not only Joan but of all of Rouen. We went to the Cathedral where lay Richard the
Lionheart and so many others. It was not
an especially beautiful church inside but certainly massive. The outside is exceptionally decorated. Monet painted a series of portraits of the façade
in every season and time of day. The paintings are mostly titled by color.
We were sufficiently cold and tired and so agreed to stay
aboard and catch up on writing, reading, planning and took general break. We were here overnight and many went out and
spent the evening enjoying the city. A few
restaurants were recommended but I was walked out and did not want to face the
wind and rain which had returned after our tour.
People on river trips are so friendly and outgoing. We have eaten with so many interesting
couples or pairs of ladies traveling together.
After dinner there was a nautical talk by our captain and he took many
questions and answers. He had time to do
this since he was not going to be sailing at night. We met his girlfriend who was going to be
with us for a day or so. They had lived
together in Prague for six months and now he was drawn back to his beloved
river.
Bedtime!
No comments:
Post a Comment