Joan was born at Domremy (Champagne) of humble parents, she was a pious girl
brought up during the Hundred Year War, she was three years of age when the
battle of Agincourt took place and only nine when Henry V of England and
Charles VI of France died.
From an early age she heard the voices of Saints Michael, Catherine and
Margaret, urging her to go to the rescue of France. At this time much of the
country was occupied by the forces of the English King, who also claimed to
be King of France.
The French Dauphin, Charles, was convinced by her and, after being examined
by theologians at Poitiers, she was allowed to lead the army. In this she
was notable successful.
She defeated the English at the siege of Orleans and, after clearing the
route to Rheims, she encouraged the Dauphin to be crowned King in 1429.
Unfortunately the following year she was captured by the Burgundians, who
sold her to the English. She was charged with witchcraft before the Bishop
of Beauvais, and the University of Paris confirmed the guilty verdict.
At the age of nineteen she was burnt at the stake in the marketplace of
Rouen.
Pope Callistus III ordered a retrial and she was found innocent in 1456. In
1920 she was canonised and she became a French national heroine.
Her feast day is the 30th May, the day she died.
Written and contributed by Phillip Lloyd.
