When most people today hear the name "Joan of Arc" they think of some woman wanting to fight in the military. That is only part of the story. Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412 in Donremy France. This was during the war between England and France known as "The Hundred Year's War". Joan was born to Isabella and Jaqcue. Two poor peasents struggling to make a living. Joan was considered to be a normal child, she learned religion and household chores from her mom and physical work from her father. She had many friends and went to church often. It wasn't until her teenage year's that her life began to change. When Joan turned ten (10), she was believed to have heard the voice of God telling her to go to church often, and that God would be with her. She did this for a few years until she was thirteen and a half (13 1/2).
At this age she began to hear her voices again. This time not only from God but also from three (3) of his angels. They told her to fight for France and the "King of Heaven". She took this very seriously and wrote many letters to the Dauphin of France asking him to let her lead in arms. After many non-answered replies she convinced a few men to escort her to Chinon. Chinon was the current home of the Dauphin because Reims, Orleans, and Paris were all occupied and/or being fought by the English. After being put to the test to find out if she was really a "Messenger from God", she and the Dauphin had a private conversation in his chambers. No one knows exactly what was said in that chamber between the two of them, but many people believe that she had convinced him she was battle-ready by admitting her voices and angels to him. If this is true, he was most likely the only person to know what exactly went on in these visions.
After being convinced that she was truly a "Messenger of God", the Dauphin equipped her with armor, weapons, an army, a mount, and a banner. Setting off to Reims they encountered little trouble. Upon reaching Reims Joan and her men were shocked at how poorly the city and the surrounding countryside was in. What was documented during the first battle, was that the enemies camp was surrounded by a dry moat and a barrier of sharpened wood. After leaping over this barrier on her mount Joan unlocked the gate to let her men come in and fight the battle. It was truly a great victory, because of this first victory France and its people had gained courage and confidence for the victory of France.
Shortly after this battle around when Joan was sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) her troops and her journeyed to Orleans to fight what would be her biggest battle... It began with an assault of Joan and her men on the castle and bridge's walls. The English had a great advantage somewhat of a combination of a wrecking ball/ cannon ball, they had a warfare contraption that could take out many men at one time. The contraption worked where a large cannon ball was dropped down a chute near the ground the chute curled out towards the men and there was an opening which released the cannon ball taking out as many from one (1) to twenty (20) men in a single fireing. During this battle Joan was believed to have been killed however, she was only wounded by an opponent's arrow. Astonished to see that she lived through such an attack the English were in fear and called her a "Witch". One of Joan's greatest Military Strategies was about to take place. A contraption which was used by rolling up next to the castle wall's would create a ladder for men to run up in and reach the top instead of climbing a ladder. By turning this one backwards and facing it down, it was used as a bridge to reach the castle. This worked, and Joan won this battle but with many casualties.
On what would be the last of Joan's battles they attacked Paris. However during this it was very unsuccesful, and Joan was captured during this battle by the Burgundians. The Burgundians are an ancient culture of Western German barbarians settled south of France. The Burgundians had a large ransom for Joan's life. Which the French did not pay, and instead the English payed. In the English custity, Joan was trialed over and over for a whole year for wearing men's clothes, and for being a witch. In the end, her verdict was guilty. Joan was burned at the stake.
A few years later, Joan's name was cleared and her memory would live on. She was named Saint Joan of Arc.
In conclusion, Joan of Arc was many things needed in today's society. She fought for her beliefs, she was a courageous woman, she took the responsibility of leading a country, she was a brilliant fighter, and a hero to France. She was a revolutionary, she revolted against England in what was not right, and justice had to be done. She raised the confidence of her people and won them over, without her many people believe that France would belong to the English. She revolutionised the world.
