Joan was born in 1412 in France in a peasant family. France at that time was bereft of leadership and was faced by conflicts,within and without. Large parts of its territory were under English occupation.
Joan used to see visions in her childhood and had realized that she was destined to play an important role in reviving French fortunes.
At the age if 17 she joined the French army in the face of tremendous opposition and quickly attained a position of leadership.
She lead the French army to an astounding victory at Orleans in 1429 and also to other major victories. Just when it appeared that the tide was turning in favor of France, the French king decided to compromise with the English and Joan was handed over to the English in return for money. She was tried and sentenced to be burnt at the stake for committing heresy. She was burnt alive on 30th May 1431 in Rouen and her ashes were thrown in the Seiene river.
Subsequently the Roman Church reversed its earlier finding and canonized her.
Her life inspired a lot of revolutionaries like Voltaire,Shakespeare and Napoleon who referred to her in glowing terms!
Joan used to see visions in her childhood and had realized that she was destined to play an important role in reviving French fortunes.
At the age if 17 she joined the French army in the face of tremendous opposition and quickly attained a position of leadership.
She lead the French army to an astounding victory at Orleans in 1429 and also to other major victories. Just when it appeared that the tide was turning in favor of France, the French king decided to compromise with the English and Joan was handed over to the English in return for money. She was tried and sentenced to be burnt at the stake for committing heresy. She was burnt alive on 30th May 1431 in Rouen and her ashes were thrown in the Seiene river.
Subsequently the Roman Church reversed its earlier finding and canonized her.
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