Topic > Joan of Arc's Life Contribution to History

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc, otherwise known as Joan of Arc, was born in France in 1421. Although illiterate, her mother instilled in her a love of the Catholic Church and its teachings. During Joan's childhood, France and England saw two rulers: Henry V and Henry VI. These two rulers brought terror throughout the country. France was torn apart during this period due to conflicts with England, also known as the Hundred Years' War. Joan was particularly affected as her home village, Domrémy, was invaded by the English along with many other villages in northern France, forcing them to abandon their homes. This was just the beginning of Joan of Arc's inspiring but difficult life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In 1424, at the age of thirteen, Joan of Arc began hearing voices that she believed were divine messages from God himself. These voices, later theorized to come from St. Margaret, St. Catherine, and St. Michael, spoke to her, telling her to support King Charles VII in his fight against England. After hearing these voices, Joanna took responsibility and claimed that this was her divine mission. Because of this mission, Joan vowed to live a chaste life, focusing all her attention on her life-saving efforts. At the age of sixteen, Joan of Arc refused to participate in a marriage arranged by her father and challenged the court not to force her to take part in this union. He began his divine mission by traveling to Vaucouleurs, France, hoping to gain followers. She resided in Vaucouleurs for several months, challenging King Charles VII's magistrate to accept her prophecies and allow her to visit the royal court. Although the magistrate initially refused, after seeing the followers Joan had gained, Robert de Baudricourt, the commander of King Charles VII, granted her a horse and soldiers to make the journey to the royal court in 1429. Joan of Arc then he cut his hair. and traveled in men's clothes to avoid clashes while traveling to Charles' court. King Charles VII was hesitant after Joanna's initial interaction. Only after Joan was able to release King Charles' private information and conversations was he willing to accept her prophecies. At the age of seventeen, in May 1429, Joan of Arc left with the armed troops of King Charles VII for Orléans, the site of an English siege. Despite what appeared to be an invincible English army, Joan of Arc helped lead the French to victory at Orléans. King Charles VII was then crowned King of France with Joan of Arc at his side as co-commander. In 1430, King Charles ordered Joan to face the Burgundian onslaught. In doing so, Joan was thrown from her horse and was locked outside the city gates. The Burgundians then took Joanna prisoner for several months until they finally freed her. King Charles VII then betrayed the work Joan had done for him, distancing himself and making no attempt to save her from captivity. Joan of Arc was eventually handed over to the church which leveled seventy accusations against her including heresy, witchcraft and dressing as a man. In May 1431 Joan signed a confession denying that she had ever received any divine guidance under threat of death. However, a few days later, Joan was seen wearing men's clothing and was sentenced to death. On May 30, 1431, at the age of nineteen, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Twenty years after her death, Joan of Arc was again tried by Charles VII in which she was found innocent of her charges. In 1920 Joan of Arc came.