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Why was Reims important to Charles VII’s legitimacy as king of France?

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Medieval illustration of the Battle of Crecy shows armored soldiers fighting with swords, shields, and bows as mounted knights and banners fill the background. — Hundred Years’ War Image depicting the Battle of Crécy, during the Hundred Years' War, in which Edward III of England defeated Philip VI of France on August 26, 1346.

For Charles VII, a coronation at Reims was essential to his legitimacy because it was the traditional site for the consecration of French kings, a ceremony believed to be required to establish a monarch as truly chosen by God.12

During the Hundred Years’ War, Charles VII lacked a proper coronation and reportedly harbored doubts about his own legitimacy. Joan of Arc insisted that only an anointing at Reims could confirm his status as the rightful king. This belief was rooted in the historical significance of the city, where French monarchs were traditionally anointed using the sainte ampoule (holy ampulla). By successfully reaching Reims and undergoing the ceremony on July 17, 1429, Charles VII was able to overcome his hesitancy and solidify his authority, effectively countering the claims of his adversaries.1324