Vaucouleurs

Vaucouleurs stood on the Meuse at the edge of Lorraine, a French royal stronghold in a region divided by the Hundred Years' War. Its captain, Robert de Baudricourt, held the town for the Dauphin Charles. It was here that a young woman from nearby Domrémy sought help for a journey that would change the course of the war.

Joan of Arc appealed repeatedly to Baudricourt for an escort to Charles at Chinon. After initially refusing, he agreed in February 1429. Supporters at Vaucouleurs provided her with a horse, male clothing and arms for the journey, and a small party accompanied her across dangerous country to the court of the Dauphin. From Chinon she went on to join the campaign to relieve Orléans.