Jeanne de Flandre (Joan of Flanders) comes from the repertoire of the Pajot-Walton theatre; it was inspired by Louis-Marie Fontan and Victor Herbin’s play written in 1832. Gaston Baty transcribed the text and published it in his work Trois p’tits tours et puis s’en vont [Three little turns and then they go away; line from the popular French nursery rhyme “Ainsi font font font” (Thus they do do do) also known as “Les petites marionnettes” (The little puppets)] dedicated to the repertoire of travelling puppet theatres. Those plays were performed at fairs, in “baraques”–a light structure that can easily be dismantled.

The historical figure of Joan of Flanders (1295-1374) is connected to the War of the Breton Succession (1341-1364).

The people are against the reign of the countess Jeanne de Flandre (Joan of Flanders) and demand the return of her father, Comte Baudoin (Count Baldwin). Sire Raoul de Mauléon (Lord Raoul of Mauléon), Jeanne’s faithful servant, asks her for an audience. He reminds her of all the crimes he committed to get her the crown, and demands a reward. Their meeting is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Sire Hubert (Lord Hubert) who announces that Comte Baudoin is alive and on his way to the court. As soon as he arrives, Jeanne will lose her crown.

Determined to keep her power, she summons Burgue, another servant, and orders him to search for the man pretending to be Comte Baudoin. Shortly after, she announces that she will marry Sire Raoul de Mauléon, but she is interrupted by Comte Baudoin. The confrontation between the father and the daughter leads them to be summoned before the Court of Roi Louis VIII (King Louis VIII).

During the trial, the Roi asks three questions in order to verify the identity of Comte Baudoin. The Comte fails to answer the last one. However, Sire Hubert intervenes, accompanied by Marguerite, another daughter of the Comte. Marguerite recognises her father, but it is not enough: Jeanne requires the “judgement of God”–a fight. Mauléon will fight for her, and Pierre de la Cy will defend Comte Baudoin. At the end of the fight, Pierre de la Cy is defeated and killed.

Marguerite begs the Roi to let her follow her father in prison, and he accepts. Jeanne then goes to see the imprisoned Comte to force him to deny his identity by signing a document, but he refuses.

Later, Sire Raoul de Mauléon is very remorseful and tries to convince Jeanne to end their criminal activity. She firmly refuses and orders Burgue to suppress him. However, Mauléon survives. Meanwhile, Sire Hubert and other Seigneurs (Lords) manage to free Comte Baudoin. Mauléon comes back and murders Jeanne before the eyes of Comte Baudoin and of the people; he is then killed by Sire Hubert.