Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in a small village in France during the Hundred Year War. 

The Hundred Year War was about England trying to take over France. It took place roughly from 1337 to 1453. Charles VII was heir to the throne of France when the previous king died but was prevented from being crowned king by the English. They didn’t want him as the king, because they wanted their English King to rule France. 

When Joan was 12 years old she heard the voices of three saints and even saw them. The saints were St. Michael, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine. They told her personal things but eventually they told her to help retake France. When she was 16 she tried three times to speak with Charles VII. She told him she would regain the country from the English. Charles had her tested by some priests to make sure she was Catholic. She passed the tests. Joan then organized her own army. People who had left Charles’ army joined Joan’s army because they heard a saint was leading it. She wrote a letter to the English saying to surrender or she would drive them out of her country. Joan led a siege in the fortified church of Saint Loup. The victory was the turning point in the war. She then conquered two more cities which made a clear path to Reams where Charles VII was to be crowned. Joan stood by weeping saying the will of God had been accomplished. She then went on to win many more battles for the French. 

She was eventually captured by the Bungurdian army and transferred to the English. She was then condemned to die by burning at the stake. But because of her, the French eventually won back all of France.