StanleyDiane 02 JoanOfArc sj Diane Stanley

The presented work depicts a map of France in 1429, rendered with a stylized aesthetic reminiscent of medieval cartography. The color palette is dominated by warm earth tones – ochre, beige, and brown – contrasted against the blue of surrounding bodies of water. A border of undulating waves frames the composition, lending it an ornamental quality.
Here we see France divided geographically and politically. Territory controlled by England and Burgundy is indicated in a lighter shade of ochre, while areas under the control of Charles VII are marked with a darker hue. The division isnt absolute; there’s a visual suggestion of contested zones along the boundaries. Key cities – Rouen, Paris, Reims, Orléans – are labeled in a clear, legible script. Geographic features such as rivers (Loire, Seine) and mountain ranges (the Holy Roman Empire border) are also delineated.
Several symbolic elements punctuate the map. A heraldic shield bearing the English royal arms appears prominently in the upper left corner, signifying England’s claim to French territory. Similarly, a Burgundian coat of arms is positioned near Burgundy itself. In the lower left quadrant, a ship with a dragon figurehead sails on the Atlantic Ocean; this could represent naval power or perhaps allude to exploration and trade. A complex circular design appears in the lower left corner, its meaning less immediately apparent but potentially signifying a specific region or political alliance. The mountains along the eastern border are rendered as stylized peaks, evoking a sense of natural barrier and territorial demarcation.
The overall effect is one of controlled information presented with an air of formality. The map isnt merely descriptive; it’s a statement about power dynamics and territorial claims during a period of significant conflict. The deliberate use of color and symbolic imagery suggests a desire to convey not just geographic data, but also a particular political narrative – one that emphasizes the fractured state of France in 1429.