Why did St. Joan of Arc travel from Vaucouleurs to Chinon?

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Painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres showing Joan of Arc in armor holding a banner at an altar during the coronation of Charles VII in Reims Cathedral, with figures praying behind her. — St. Joan of Arc *Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles VII in Reims Cathedral*, by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1854; in the Louvre, Paris.

St. Joan of Arc traveled from Vaucouleurs to Chinon in February 1429 to meet the dauphin, Charles (later Charles VII). Guided by the voices of her saints, she sought his permission to join the French cause and lead the fight against the English forces occupying northern France.1

At the time, the legitimacy of Charles's claim to the throne was challenged because he had not yet been crowned at Reims, which was held by his enemies. Joan traveled to Chinon to convince the dauphin that she was on a divine mission to help him secure his crown and liberate France. After gaining the trust of the garrison captain at Vaucouleurs, she successfully crossed enemy-held territory to reach the dauphin's castle, where she eventually secured his support to lead troops into battle.1