Frustrated with the king's inaction, Joan raised her own small army. This transformed her from a divine messenger serving the crown into a leader of a "free company," a role associated with bandits and mercenaries, which was a very bad look for her holy reputation.

Joan's success relied on an "infectious bravery" that inspired demoralized troops and overrode the caution of veteran commanders. She consistently pushed for aggressive attacks when professionals advised delay. This highlights how a leader's conviction and confidence can become a tangible strategic advantage, transforming a unit's psychology and capacity for risk.

A sudden, favorable change in wind allowing supply barges to reach Orléans was perceived as a divine sign. This event instantly convinced the skeptical commander, the Bastard of Orléans, of Joan's legitimacy. It demonstrates how a single symbolic "victory" can dramatically shift morale and consolidate leadership more effectively than strategic plans.

The Dauphin's court did not accept Joan in a vacuum. Decades-old prophecies foretelling that a virgin would save France provided the political and cultural cover necessary to support her seemingly outlandish mission. This pre-existing narrative made her claims plausible and her backing politically defensible.

The Duke of Alençon, bankrupted and dispossessed by the English, became one of Joan's earliest and most ardent supporters. His personal desperation made him uniquely receptive to her message of divine intervention, showing how radical leaders gain initial traction with stakeholders who have nothing left to lose.

Her primary miracle, the relief of Orléans, was a stunning military success, not a supernatural event. By attributing it to God's will, she created a powerful narrative of divine favor that shattered English morale and galvanized French forces, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Unlike many mystics who were passive recipients of divine messages, Joan had a conversational and even confrontational relationship with her voices. She would argue back if she disagreed with their counsel, demonstrating a remarkable self-confidence and an active interpretation of her divine mission rather than simple obedience.

The court ritual where Joan "identified" the Dauphin she had already met was a deliberate piece of political theatre. This staged "pantomime" was not a genuine test but a public relations exercise designed to cement the narrative of her divine gifts and the Dauphin's legitimacy in the minds of the entire court.

After Joan was captured, Charles VII's regime strategically distanced itself. The official line was that God allowed her capture as punishment for her pride and folly. This narrative protected the king from the embarrassment of her failure and allowed him to move on.