Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was a young French woman who lived during the later years of the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between France and England. She was born around 1412 in a small village called Domrémy in northeastern France. Joan believed she had a duty to help France during the war, and she became known for her support of Charles VII, who was the French ruler at the time.

When Joan was a teenager, she traveled to speak with Charles VII. She told him that she wished to help his cause in the war. After meeting with her, Charles allowed her to go with the French army to the city of Orléans. Orléans was under siege, which means enemy forces were surrounding it and blocking supplies from entering. Joan's presence helped encourage the French soldiers, and the army was able to lift the siege in 1429.

After the victory at Orléans, Joan continued to support the French army. She joined in several campaigns as the French tried to push back English control. Her support helped lead Charles VII to Reims, where he was crowned king later in 1429. A coronation is a ceremony in which a ruler is officially made king or queen. This event strengthened Charles's position and helped unite his supporters.

In 1430, Joan was captured during a military action near the town of Compiègne. She was taken prisoner by forces allied with England. Later, she was put on trial in the city of Rouen. A trial is a formal process in which people examine evidence about a person's actions. The court said she had broken certain laws, and she was sentenced to death.

Joan of Arc died in 1431 at about nineteen years old. Many years later, another court reviewed her case and said she should not have been found guilty. In 1920, the Roman Catholic Church declared her a saint, which means she is honored in the church for her life. Today, Joan of Arc is remembered as a major figure from the Hundred Years' War and as an important person in French history.

Her life took place during a time of major conflict, and her actions were part of the events that helped France regain strength late in the war. Her story includes major themes from the period, such as siege warfare, the role of rulers like Charles VII, and the complex struggles between England and France.