Member-only story
Joan of Arc was one of the most remarkable figures of the Hundred Years’ War and remains an icon of French history and culture to this day. Born in Domrémy in 1412, she heard voices of saints urging her to take up arms and drive the English out of France. Her unwavering faith, military prowess, and extraordinary life have made her a symbol of feminine courage and leadership, as well as a powerful inspiration for feminists and women’s rights activists.
Early Life and Military Career
Joan grew up in a peasant family and had no formal education, but from an early age, she claimed to hear voices of saints, including St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret. In 1429, at the age of 17, she convinced the Dauphin of France, Charles VII, to grant her an audience and offered to help him defeat the English and claim the French throne. She led the French army to a stunning victory at the Siege of Orléans, lifting the English blockade and turning the tide of the war in France’s favor.
Joan went on to lead several more successful campaigns, including the capture of the cities of Troyes and Reims, where Charles was crowned king of France. Her military victories were remarkable, given her lack of formal training and the fact that she was a woman in a male-dominated society.
