March to Reims

Successfully marching their army though the heart of territory held by the hostile Burgundians solidified the Dauphin’s regrasp of the throne of France.

Despite the French victory in the Battle of Patay on 18 June, which caused the English to retreat to Paris,[7] The dauphin refused to continue on to Reims,[8] which was held by the Burgundians.

[10][11] After initially meeting the Dauphin on 23 May 1429 at Loches,[12] Joan of Arc next met him on 21 June at the Fleury Abbey to persuade him to go to Reims.

On 24 June, preceded by her squire, Louis de Coutes [fr], who held her banner emblazoned Jhésus Maria, Joan of Arc — arriving at Gien wearing her armor forged in Tours and the sword of Fierbois,[13] found Charles VII.

The ease of the march showed both the fragility of the Anglo-Burgundian rule and the restoration of confidence in the cause of Charles VII of France.

The Marshal of France[19] Gilles de Rais rode to Reims, hoping to use this victorious march to retrieve a ransom of land taken from "collaborators.

Georges de la Trémoille, a favorite of the Dauphin,[26][27][28] reportedly bribed the minister of the city two thousand gold écus.

[34] The dauphin called on the people of Reims to open their gates, despite their vow to resist him for six weeks until relieved by Lancaster and Philip the Good.

On Sunday 17 July 1429 Charles VII was crowned King of France in Reims:[36][37] he received the Holy Ampulla from the hands of the Archbishop Renault Chartres.

"Noble King, now is executed the pleasure of God who wished I lift the siege of Orléans, and I bring you into this city of Rheims to receive your holy coronation to show you are the true king, and the one to whom the kingdom of France must belong," declared Joan of Arc, paying tribute to her king.The coronation ceremony, given the circumstances, took place in simplicity.

1415–1429
Territories controlled by Henry VI of England
Territories controlled by Philip III of Burgundy
Territories controlled by Charles VII of France
Main battles
English raid of 1415
Joan's journey from Domrémy to Chinon
Raid of Jeanne d'Arc to Reims in 1429
Joan of Arc chasing off camp followers
Miniature from Vigiles du roi Charles VII. The citizens of Troyes hand over city keys to the Dauphin and Joan of Arc.