Joan of Arc or Jeanne d’Arc in French was born in a village which was part of eastern France in 1412. She was considered heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. Joan said she received visions of the Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine instructing her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination. At the time of Joan’s childhood, France was seriously divided with a lack of national unity. King Henry V of England had invaded France and defeated the French army. This famous victory over the French nobility left the country weak and divided.
Under Charles leadership, French were without direction and real leader. When Joan of Arc came to the court she overwhelmed Charles with her passion and conviction. She was given control over an army and allowed to lead them into battle. Within a year Joan of Arc had led the French army to victories and many other towns were also liberated from English control.
However a year later Joan was captured and sold to the English. The English and members of the French clergy decided to put her on trial for witchcraft. The trial was a very testing experience for Joan, but, her responses were much sharper than her prosecutors expected. As expected, Joan was found guilty and condemned to death by burning at the stake.
Joan of Arc achieved a remarkable achievement in her short life of 19 years. In particular she embodied religious devotion with great bravery and humility, her life helped change the course of French history. She was very inspirational to me because she who was a normal peasant from village willing to take up arm and went into a war under the God guidance. She died for her own belief.