This woman is commonly known as Saint Joan of Arc. Historians believe that she was born on January 6, 1412 and died May 30,1431 at the age of 19. “Joan is a French national heroin and a saint of the Roman Catholic Church”(“Joan Of Arc” Encyclopedia Britanica). She rescued France from defeat during the "Hundred Years War" against England. In honor of her victory she is often called the Maid of Orleans. An internet article states, “When Joan was 13 she began to see visions and hear voices who she later determined to be Saints Catherine, Margaret, and Michael”(“Joan of Arc” gale group). Joan claimed that they told her that she was chosen by God to help the dauphin, Charles VII free France and take his seat in the throne. “At the age of 17 in 1429, she gained access to the King through the military commander in Vaucoulaurs” states one source (“Joan of Arc Liberates Orleans” gale group). Because of her visions and the voices from saints, Joan used the knowledge she received to her advantage and fought to defend her king and country.
Charles was hesitant about letting a women take command over his army to defend France. Charles was very desperate because the English had captured almost half of France including Paris. One source mentions, “When Joan told him of her visions of the Saints, he was doubtful, so he set up two tests for her: in the first test he disguised himself as a courtier, but she pointed him out immediately, and in the second test he asked her what he prayed to God for the night before she arrived; she told him exactly what he prayed for ”(“Joan of Arc” gale group). Joan proved to Charles through a series of tests that her visions were in fact real. Some of the clergies believed her to be Satanic, but Joan was approved by Charles. Charles fitted her with armor and gave her command of the military. Soon after she set out to free Orleans from a brutal siege. Another source states, “the other French commanders hesitantly followed orders, but soon they obeyed her whole-heartedly”(Farah 150). Other commanders were hesitant about following orders, but once she proved herself the obeyed her. Under Joan's command, the siege was broken after only ten days and the English fled, and she was given the everlasting title "The Maid of Orléans". Joan convinced Charles to undergo a formal coronation in the Cathedral at Reims. While escorting Charles, Joan’s army won several battles along the way. Charles took the throne on July, 17 1429, and Joan stood beside him during the ceremony. No doubt of all of Joan’s accomplishments in battle, she was captured, punished, and then sentenced to death for heresy and witchcraft.
During a minor battle in September, 1429 where Joan tried to free Paris, she was injured. Sources say, “Eight months later she was captured by a troop of Burgundians who wished to sell her for ransom” (“St. Joan of Arc” Catholic Encyclopedia). After being injured, Joan was captured and help up for ransom by her enemies. Instead she was sold to the English for a lot of money 100,000 pounds to be exact. The English believed her visions to be satanic, so they tried her on several accusations of witchcraft and heresy. Despite constant badgering, she never lost her belief of the visions from God. One author stated, “A French clergy sympathetic to the English convicted and sentenced Joan to death” (“St. Joan of Arc” Catholic Encyclopedia). On May, 30 1431 in the town square, Joan was burned at the stake for all of the people in the marketplace to see. “Her bravery in death people thought they had witnessed martyrdom of a Saint” (“Joan of Arc” Gale Group). Joan of Arc was such an amazing person who put such an impact on so many peoples lives, those who witnessed her death felt guilty afterwards. Much to her family's regret she was not allowed a Christian burial as her ashes were thrown into the Seine River.
“In 1455 her family called for a new trial. In 1456, a mere 25 years after her death, Pope Calixtus II declared that Joan was innocent in the end; and almost 500 years later, in 1909, Pope Pius X proclaimed her to exalt above others-a step towards sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church; and in 1920, over 500 years after her death, “Pope Benedict XV declared Joan of Arc a saint in 1920 her feast day, is the day she died, May 30” stated one author, (“Joan of Arc” gale group).
“Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orléans, was neither a witch or a saint, but by peculiar circumstances her life and death fulfilled the requirements of both” (states one unknown author).
