Emily Chan
In the middle of the chaos, Jeanne grabbed two hatchets and scaled the city walls with a group of women.
She hurled herself at one of the soldiers climbing the walls. The blade of one of the hatchets sunk into his neck.
Then, she kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying off the wall. The rest of the women followed suit, their bravery restored.
At one point, the broken gate was set on fire. The people of Beauvais kept the fire burning for two weeks so their enemies couldn’t enter.
After nearly a month of fighting, the Duke had to retreat. He lost around 3,000 men, and his remaining fighters mostly consisted of women and average citizens.
King Louis XI recognized the efforts that the citizens of Beauvais contributed to the defense of the city.
He thanked them by granting the city with special privileges, such as a lower tax rate. He was also aware of the role that women played in this defense and suspended certain laws, allowing women to wear whatever clothing they wanted.
The king was especially impressed by Jeanne, the teenager who stepped up to save the town. She was rewarded with gold, and her descendants were spared from ever having to pay taxes.
She was even permitted to marry Collin Pillon, the man she loved, which was a big deal then. Some say the king himself held the marriage ceremony.
Jeanne’s memory lives on in the form of a statue that was erected in her honor. The bronze statue can be found in the town square today. It shows Jeanne in the process of swinging her hatchets.
