Did Joan of Arc pretend to be a boy so she could join the war?

Answer 1

From the biography of her in the New Advent encyclopedia, it appears that she did. Here are the relevant paragraphs: Finally she was suffered to seek the king at Chinon, and she made her way there with a slender escort of three men-at-arms, she being attired, at her own request, in male costume -- undoubtedly as a protection to her modesty in the rough life of the camp. She always slept fully dressed, and all those who were intimate with her declared that there was something about her which repressed every unseemly thought in her regard.

[. . .]

She was not allowed an advocate, and, though accused in an ecclesiastical court, she was throughout illegally confined in the Castle of Rouen, a secular prison, where she was guarded by dissolute English soldiers. Joan bitterly complained of this. She asked to be in the church prison, where she would have had female attendants. It was undoubtedly for the better protection of her modesty under such conditions that she persisted in retaining her male attire.

[. . .]

On the other hand she was allowed no spiritual privileges -- e.g. attendance at Mass -- on account of the charge of heresy and the monstrous dress (difformitate habitus) she was wearing.

[. . .]

Moreover, as one of the points upon which she had been condemned was the wearing of male apparel, a resumption of that attire would alone constitute a relapse into heresy, and this within a few days happened, owing, it was afterwards alleged, to a trap deliberately laid by her jailers with the connivance of Cauchon. Joan, either to defend her modesty from outrage, or because her women's garments were taken from her, or, perhaps, simply because she was weary of the struggle and was convinced that her enemies were determined to have her blood upon some pretext, once more put on the man's dress which had been purposely left in her way. To read the entire entry, go here:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08409c.htm

Answer 2

No, she was disguised for a short time as a paige so that she could be smuggled into see the Dauphin. She wore men's clothing in battle because to wear dresses was not practical especially when she had to wear armour.

Answer 3

There are two reasons usually associated with Joan of Arc's cross-dressing at the time. The first was that she was the only woman among a very large number of soldiers. This was to prevent the soldiers from objectifing her any further, as it might cause them to forget all discipline and forget that she was their commander. The other reason is that she was called to do a man's work (lead an army and fight), and as such she should dress the part.

Answer 4

Because at that time women did not go to war.

Answer 5

Joan of Arc as a Military Leader needed to wear armor to protect herself during the 100 years war.