Hello there!
I've recently been cast in a production of The Lark, which tells the story of the trial of Joan of Arc with flashbacks to her life.
The role I've been cast in is that of La Hire, one of her captains. I've been researching, and the more I look into it the more excited I am about playing him. One of the things that strikes me is that he and Joan have an unusual sort of camaraderie which the sources I've used seem a tad vague on. So I thought I'd get the opinions of people better informed than I:
What was the relationship between Joan of Arc and La Hire like? Would we say they were friends instead of comrades in arms? Was their relationship strictly platonic?
Thanks for your help! Anything that gives me a flavour of the guy and his relationship to Joan is great!
Having researched the life of Joan of Arc for over a decade and finally published a biography, "Joan of Arc: The Mystic Legacy" in 2011, I feel that the ferocious La Hire was among the most important warriors to ride with her. She counted on him, and he gave her full credit for being his equal. Joan succeeded in taming his tongue, as he was famous for his battle taunts, filled with words that Joan disapproved of. She continued to ask him to stop swearing, and he did. He was her greatest protector in the fields of battle during the Loire Campaign. He also attempted to save her from dying in Rouen, but his efforts proved to be futile, through no fault of his own. La Hire was known by the enemy (the English and Burgundians) to be a highly dangerous foe. I believe that his protection during the battles may have saved her life, many times over. What an exciting role to play! He and Joan were close friends, and she enjoyed sharing banter with him. Their mutual respect was also reflected in shared humor. In Mark Twain's novel, "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc", of course there is invented dialogue, and it is interesting to perceive La Hire through Twain's inventive mind. Every year in Orleans, during the festival that celebrates the raising of the siege, seeing La Hire's banner hanging in the Cathedral of St. Croix always dominates, over all of the others (in my eyes.)