Saint Joan of Arc

Saint Joan of Arc, born in 1412 in Domremy, France, was a Catholic woman in the French Military. At the time of Joan’s birth, the Hundred year war was very much active. Joan was born to a poor Catholic family, which influenced her dedication to the faith, and her tough spirit. Joan would frequently have visions from the Lord, “I was thirteen when I had a Voice from God for my help and guidance. The first time that I heard this Voice, I was very much frightened; it was mid-day, in the summer, in my father’s garden.

“. Joan’s later visions urged her to speak with Charles de Ponthieu, the leader of France. Once more, she had a vision that urged her to speak with Robert de Baudricourt, a commander of Charles. He was hesitant, but seeing that she had the support of villagers, he agreed to let her speak with Charles. She traveled for eleven days through British territory to Charles’ court. She was dressed as a male soldier to ensure her safety from the enemy. Once she arrived, she changed her appearance to a woman and was quickly dismissed by Henry.

She returned as a man, and Charles spoke with her in private. She convinced Charles that she had divine inspiration from the Lord to get Charles crowned king and to finish the war with England. Charles agreed and granted Joan armor and a donated horse, and the ability to join soldiers in the battle of Orleans. Joan was wounded in the battle but helped encourage the soldiers for the final attack in Orleans. The soldiers succeeded and Joan’s advice was held high. Charles did not completely trust Joan’s advice and judgment, but after the battle of Orleans and her great commands, he trusted her advice for him to be crowned King as soon as possible. Henry was crowned King on July 18, 1429, with Joan at his side. Henry sent Joan to the Burgundian assault, hoping results of the siege would be similar to that of Orleans. Joan was knocked off of her horse and held captive by the Burgundians for several months. She was ransomed for 10,000 francs. Charles was unsure about how to treat her after her release and distanced himself from the situation.

She was given to church officials and charged with heresy, witchcraft, and of dressing like a man. Instead of being kept in a church prison, she was held in a military prison, with male soldiers as guards. She was threatened to be raped and tortured, but Joan tied her clothes on with many ropes and cords to keep herself safe. She was interrogated in public, and her accusers got the better of her. But when she was interrogated in public, she got the better of her accusers. She was finally sentenced to death. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in front of a crowd of 10,000 at the age of nineteen. There is a legend surrounding her heart after being burned. The legend tells that her heart was unaffected by the flames.

Her ashes were collected and scattered throughout the Seine river. The Hundred year war continued on for twenty-two years after Joan of Arc had died, and Charles remained king through it all. Charles conducted esearch and proved that Joan was not guilty after all. Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909, and cannonized on May 16, 1920 in Saint Peter’s Bascillica. Over 30,000 people attended the ceremony. Her feast day is May 20, and is celebrated by many people worldwide. She is the patron saint of France, along with the patron saint of soldiers.

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