Original: Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,
Modern: Prince, I was born the daughter of a shepherd,

Original: My wit untrain’d in any kind of art.
Modern: My mind has never been trained in any formal education.

Original: Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
Modern: It has pleased Heaven and our gracious Virgin Mary

Original: To shine on my contemptible estate:
Modern: To shine their favor on my lowly position in life:

Original: Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs,
Modern: Look, while I was watching over my young sheep,

Original: And to sun’s parching heat display’d my cheeks,
Modern: And exposed my face to the sun’s burning heat,

Original: God’s mother deigned to appear to me
Modern: The Mother of God chose to appear before me

Original: And in a vision full of majesty
Modern: And in a vision filled with royal glory

Original: Will’d me to leave my base vocation
Modern: Commanded me to leave my humble job

Original: And free my country from calamity:
Modern: And rescue my country from disaster:

Original: Her aid she promised and assured success:
Modern: She promised her help and guaranteed victory:

Original: In complete glory she reveal’d herself;
Modern: She revealed herself in complete splendor;

Original: And, whereas I was black and swart before,
Modern: And, while I was dark-skinned and sunburned before,

Original: With those clear rays which she infused on me
Modern: With those pure rays of light that she poured onto me

Original: That beauty am I bless’d with which you see.
Modern: I am now blessed with the beauty that you see before you.

Original: Ask me what question thou canst possible,
Modern: Ask me any question you possibly can,

Original: And I will answer unpremeditated:
Modern: And I will answer without having to think about it first:

Original: My courage try by combat, if thou darest,
Modern: Test my courage in battle, if you dare,

Original: And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
Modern: And you will find that I surpass what’s expected of a woman.

Original: Resolve on this, thou shalt be fortunate,
Modern: Be certain of this, you will be lucky,

Original: If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
Modern: If you accept me as your partner in war.

In Act 1, Scene 2 of “Henry VI, Part 1,” Charles the Dauphin and his French forces are positioned before Orleans when they encounter Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc). The Bastard of Orleans introduces her to Charles, claiming she possesses miraculous abilities granted by divine vision. Joan recounts her humble origins as a shepherd’s daughter and describes how the Virgin Mary appeared to her, commanding her to drive the English from France and crown Charles as the rightful king. To prove her martial prowess and divine calling, she challenges Charles to single combat, and despite his skill in arms, she defeats him. Impressed by her strength and convinced of her supernatural gifts, Charles accepts her as a warrior and prophet who will lead France to victory.

Charles immediately places his trust in Joan, declaring her the captain-general of his forces and comparing her favorably to ancient warrior women and biblical heroines. The French lords Reignier and Alençon express their amazement at her abilities, with Alençon noting that her spirit exceeds even the legendary Deborah, Sibyl, and Amazons. Joan prophesies that she will raise the siege of Orleans and drive the English from France, proclaiming that glory is now on the French side. Charles pledges his devotion to her cause, vowing to be her servant and declaring that together they will overcome the English forces. The scene concludes with the French leadership unified under Joan’s banner, preparing to engage the besieging English army.

Henry VI, Part 1 opens with the funeral of King Henry V, England’s great warrior king. The English nobles mourn his death while news arrives of military disasters in France, where English territories are being lost to French forces led by the Dauphin Charles. The Duke of Gloucester and the Bishop of Winchester engage in a bitter power struggle over control of the young King Henry VI, creating division within the English court.

In France, Joan of Pucelle (Joan of Arc) arrives at the French court, claiming divine guidance to drive the English from French soil. She demonstrates her supernatural powers and convinces the Dauphin of her mission. Joan leads the French forces to several victories, including the recapture of Orléans from the English. Meanwhile, the English hero Lord Talbot fights valiantly but faces increasingly difficult circumstances as French resistance grows stronger under Joan’s leadership.

The English nobles’ internal conflicts intensify when Richard Plantagenet (later Duke of York) and Edmund Beaufort, Earl of Somerset, quarrel in the Temple Garden. Their dispute leads to the symbolic plucking of white and red roses, representing the future Wars of the Roses. Plantagenet seeks to restore his family’s honor after his father’s execution for treason, while Somerset defends the Lancastrian cause.

The play concludes with the capture and execution of Joan of Pucelle by the English, though not before she attempts various defenses including claims of pregnancy. Despite her death, the French continue their resistance. Lord Talbot dies heroically in battle alongside his son John at Bordeaux, abandoned by the feuding English nobles who fail to send reinforcements. The Earl of Suffolk captures Margaret of Anjou and arranges her marriage to King Henry VI, setting the stage for future conflicts. The play ends with the English position in France severely weakened and internal divisions threatening the stability of the English crown.