JOAN OF ARC
1412 - 1431

Joan was also called The Maid of Orléans, or if you are French, Sainte Jeanne d'Arc or La Pucelle.

Although they burned her at the stake, we got some smart dudes here discussing whether they found a bone or two that once were on good ol' Joan. Don't you just love that kinda stuff?

April 4, 2007 - Update... National Geographic reports that the relics are not Joan's but rather that of an Egyptian mummy. Good stinkin grief.

If you know about Joan of Arc, you already know quite a bit about the Hundred Years' War, because Joan fought in this war. In fact, she was the chick of the day at the Siege of Orleans in 1429.

Joan was very courageous. Herself, she claimed she was in tune with some of the Saints. Good for her.

Joan's STORY
Joan's father was the pious peasant Jacques d'Arc who lived in the village of Domremy, or Domrémy. Joan was born in Domremy as well.

Growing up during the Hundred Years' War, Joan's family had to flee their home on occasion to escape either Burgundian or English raiders. Thus, Joan developed a strong patriotic sense.

Joan said that she started hearing voices at the age of thirteen. The voices told her that she was to save France.

As Joan grew older, the voices became more specific. They ordered her to leave her home and warned her that she was the instrument chosen by Heaven for driving away the English from that city, and for taking the dauphin to be anointed king at Rheims (or Reims).

Joan informed her parents accordingly and was on her way.

Joan's first stop on her assignment was the Sire de Baudricourt in Vaucouleurs. The people of Vaucouleurs were completely won over by Joan, partly because of her piety and devoutness, partly because of her spunk and enthusiasm.

Joan told the natives that the voices asked her to dress up as a knight. The townspeople loved the idea and fell into competition with each other to equip the girl with the best horse, amour, and sword. Shortly thereafter, Joan was looking all sharp and geared up.

Baudricourt arranged for an escort and Joan was accompanied to Chinon where she was to meet the Dauphin Charles.

It was February 1429. Joan was invited into a room full of people in fancy outfits. Among these people mingled Charles, who wore a more moderate attire. The idea was to see if Joan could pick the right guy.

Joan immediately spotted and addressed Charles. While Charles was still trying to figure out how she done it, Joan announced his new agenda. He was to be anointed and crowned king in the city of Rheims. Chop chop.

Up to this point in the Hundred Years' War, the French were singing the Blues. And rightly so, because they sucked at it. But now with a Holy Maid and Providence in their corner, they felt a second wind coming up.

Joan visited the French camp at Blois, and on April 25, 1429, she left for Orleans, where she arrived on April 28. By May 8 the English raised the Siege of Orleans.

On July 17, 1429, Charles was finally crowned at Rheims.

Joan went on to fight as a soldier in Charles' army at Laon, Soissons, and Beauvais.

In September 1429, Joan was severely wounded in a premature attack on Paris.

The year was 1430 and it was spring. A strong Burgundian force besieged the fortress of Compeigne. As per usual, Joan was right in the middle of it. On May 24, 1430, the besieged tried to sally out but stuff went wrong and Joan was taken prisoner by the Burgundians.

Imprisoned, Joan was brought to Arras and later to Crotoy on the Flemish coast. In November 1430 and for a good buck, the Burgundians sold her to the English.

The English also believed that Joan was in sync with Heaven, but favoring the wrong side. Hence, they brought her to Rouen, which was then their main stronghold in France, and burned her as a heretic. The date? It was May 30, 1431.

Joan is still a national hero. May 30, or the second Sunday in May, is a French national holiday.