Joan of Arc
(Jeanne d' Arc)
1412–1431Joan of Arc is the patron saint of France, soldiers, prisoners, and women. She was extremely influential during the Hundred Years’ War, effectively leading the French to victory by inspiring the troops with a hope that they had not felt for many years. She assisted in bringing about the coronation of Charles VII as the French king, and she is one of history’s greatest female war heroes.
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After participating in several minor battles, Joan was captured during a Burgundian siege and held prisoner. Her family had no money to ransom her, and, after several failed escape attempts, she was sold to the British and put on trial for heresy. Despite her amazing eloquence during the trial, she was deemed guilty and burned at the stake. She was beatified in 1909 and canonized eleven years later. She is a well-known saint in the Catholic Church and still holds great importance in French history.
Key events during the life of Joan of Arc:
| Start of Hundred Years' War | |
| Born in Domremy, France | |
| Experienced her first of many visions of the saints | |
| Led an assault on the main English stronghold, won the battle for France | |
| Charles VII was coronated at Reims | |
| Captured by Burgundian troops, later purchased by the English | |
| Put on trial for heresy to undermine King Charles | |
| Died by being burned at the stake | |
| Beatified | |
| Canonized by Pope Benedict XV |
Other Resources
| Book Links |
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Image Links | ||
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 She saw an angel's face appearing through the wonder-shine. in Stories from French History |
 In the market-place at Rouen they burned her to death at the stake. in Stories from French History |
The maid of Orleans in France: Peeps at History |
 Raising the Siege of Orleans in France: Peeps at History |
 Joan's Vision in The Story of Old France |
 Joan entering Orleans in The Story of Old France |
 Joan's Martyrdom in The Story of Old France |
 Joan's vision in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
 The capture of Orleans by Joan of Arc in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
 The coronation of Charles VII at Rheims in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
 Joan of Arc bound to the stake in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
 Joan of Arc listening to the voices in The Story of the Middle Ages |
 Joan at the crowning of the French king in The Story of the Middle Ages |
 Joan hanging garlands on the fairy oak in The Story of Joan of Arc |
 Joan kneeling to the King at Chinon in The Story of Joan of Arc |
 Joan riding into Orleans under torchlight in The Story of Joan of Arc |
 Joan fallen wounded under the walls of Paris in The Story of Joan of Arc |
 Joan taken at Compiegne in The Story of Joan of Arc |
 Joan on the roof-leads of Beaurevoir Castle in The Story of Joan of Arc |
 Joan facing her Judges in The Story of Joan of Arc |
 Joan Entering Orleans in Patriots and Tyrants |
 Enter, then, for the city is yours,' cried the maid in The Story of France |
 Joan of Arc at Orleans in Historical Tales: French |
 Joan of arc in The Discovery of New Worlds |
 Joan of Arc Entering Orleans in Triumph in European Hero Stories |
 Statue of Joan of Arc in European Hero Stories |
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| Charles VII | King of France during Hundred Years' War, led France to eventual victory against British |
| Charles the Bold | Duke of Burgundy who fought France in the Burgundian Wars. At his death his domains passed to the Hapsburgs. |
| Colette of Corbie | French Abbess and founder of the Poor Clares. |