Abstract
Saint Joan of Arc, the 'Maid of Orleans' (Orleans -a French city) is considered a national heroine of France. She was also a Catholic Saint. Joan was a peasant girl born in eastern France at Domrémy, just next to the Loraine, who claimed divine guidance. She said she could hear God speaking to her; she was investigated by a mission. She led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War (1335 to 1453) which paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII. The Hundred Year War was fought between France and England. Both countries were trying to win the French throne. Both Henry VIII in England and Charles VIII in France were legitimate to become the next king of France. So this long fight was about winning France. The English army was based in France in the North part of the country. Charles VIII was hiding next to the Loire, away from the conflict. One of the Joan of Arc exploits was the siege of the English of Orléans.
This city was strategic for the English and its loss was a huge loss for them. We have to understand the importance of this victory for France which had been ineffective until the arrival of Joan. Thanks to Joan, the English started to back down.
She was captured by the Burgundians during a battle. The Duke of Burgundians had a deal with English and they sold her to the enemy. She was tried by an ecclesiastical court and burned at the stake when she was 19 years old in May 1431. 25 years after the execution, Pope Callixtus III examined the trial, pronounced her innocent and declared her a martyr. She was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920.
