Joan of Arc
Also known as: St. Joan of Arc or Jeanne d'Arc (her French name)
Occupation: Military leader, religious leader
Best known as: Medieval girl who talked to God and led France's army to victory in the Hundred Years War
Nationality: French
Religion: Catholic
Born: January 6, 1412, in Domremy, France
Died: May 30, 1431 (burned at the stake in Rouen, France)
Short biography:
Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl who began to communicate with deceased saints, such as St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret, at the age of thirteen. These voices told her to fight against England, which controlled much of France, and to help the French crown prince, Charles VII, become king. In 1429, When Joan was about sixteen, she went to Orleans and convinced Charles to fight to regain the throne from the English and his French political rivals. In the same year, she led an army to a victory over the English at the same city, and she was a guest of honor at Charles's coronation. In 1430, she led another campaign against the English at Compiegne, France, but was captured by a group of traitorous Burgundians, who sold her to the English. She was burned at the stake, but became a saint in 1920.
Friends: Charles VII, as well as saints Michael, Catherine, and Margaret, who advised her through supernatural means
Family members:
Parents: Jacques and Isabelle d'Arc
Siblings: four older siblings
Enemies: in general, the English and Burgundians
