Joan of Arc Biography

Joan of Arc was a young woman who led the French army to victory over the British in a crucial battle during the ‘Hundred Years' War.’ She is often hailed as the heroine of France. Born into a simple peasant family in France, Joan is believed to have experienced divine visions of archangels and saints from the time she was a young girl. As the daughter of highly religious parents, Joan too was inclined towards God and religion from an early age. Experiencing divine visions further strengthened her faith. She claimed that she was instructed by Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret to drive out the English and bring the Dauphin to Reims for his coronation. At that time, the crown of France was in dispute between Dauphin Charles (later Charles VII), and the English King Henry VI. It had been seven years since the death of the Dauphin’s father, but he still had not been crowned king of France. Led by the voices of the saints, she sought permission to join the Dauphin and his cause. Provided with several military men by the Dauphin, she led the French army in a war against the English and emerged victorious. A year later, she was captured by the enemies and put on trial for witchcraft. Subsequently, she was declared guilty and burned at the stake. Years later, she was declared a martyr.