Joan of Arc
1412–1431
Historical Figure“All battles are first won or lost in the mind.”
Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was a French military leader and saint who played a crucial role during the Hundred Years’ War. Born in Domrémy, Joan claimed to receive divine guidance that led her to join French military forces and achieve significant victories against English forces. Her leadership and the moral authority she conveyed energized French resistance during a period of national crisis.
Joan’s actions, though ultimately resulting in her capture and execution by English forces and French collaborators, profoundly influenced French national identity and military success. She was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. Joan’s life demonstrates the impact of unwavering conviction, courage in the face of adversity, and the power of individual action to influence historical events.