Despite their desperation, the Dauphin's court didn't blindly trust Joan. They subjected her to a rigorous vetting process, including a physical examination to confirm her virginity and a theological inquiry by scholars at Poitiers. This was a form of medieval due diligence to mitigate the immense risk of backing a fraud or heretic.

Joan's decision to wear men's clothing was a profound theological transgression, explicitly condemned in the Book of Deuteronomy. She never justified it on practical grounds like safety, but as a direct command from her voices. This framed the act as one of religious obedience that paradoxically broke religious law, making it central to her heresy charge.

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.

Contrary to its reputation, the English siege of Orléans was not an ironclad blockade. The English force of roughly 4,000 men was insufficient to completely encircle the large city, leaving gaps in their lines. This critical resource constraint created vulnerabilities that the French relief force ultimately exploited.

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 English believed their string of improbable victories against a larger, richer France proved God's favor. They viewed their claim to the French throne not as aggression but as a divinely sanctioned right, using battlefield success as theological proof that their cause was just.

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.

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.