{"id":"st-joan-arc","name":"St. Joan of Arc","title":"The Maid of Orléans, Martyr","knownFor":"Military Leader, Visionary, Martyr, Patron of France","feastDay":"May 30","lifespan":"c. 1412-1431","patronOf":"France, Soldiers, Prisoners, Martyrs, Women in Military","shortBio":"A peasant girl who claimed divine visions commanding her to crown the Dauphin and drive the English from France. She led French forces to victory before being martyred at age 19.","fullBio":"Born to a tenant farmer family in Domrémy during the Hundred Years' War, Joan was a pious but illiterate peasant girl living in a war-torn France largely occupied by the English. At about age 13, she began experiencing visions of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret, who commanded her to free France and ensure the coronation of the Dauphin Charles as king.\n\nAt age 16, Joan convinced local authorities to escort her to the Dauphin's court at Chinon. Despite being disguised among courtiers, she immediately identified Charles and convinced him of her divine mission after a private conversation. After theological examination cleared her of heresy, Charles gave her armor, a banner, and command of French forces.\n\nJoan's military career was meteoric. In March 1429, she relieved the besieged city of Orléans, turning the tide of the war. Her presence inspired French troops and demoralized the English, who believed she was a witch. She won several more victories and enabled Charles VII's coronation at Reims Cathedral in July 1429, fulfilling the first part of her mission.\n\nCaptured by Burgundian allies of the English in 1430, Joan was sold to the English and tried for heresy and witchcraft by an ecclesiastical court. The trial was a political sham designed to discredit her and by extension, Charles VII's legitimacy. She was condemned for wearing men's clothing and claiming direct revelation from God, and was burned at the stake in Rouen on May 30, 1431, at age 19.","miracles":["Identified the disguised Dauphin Charles among his courtiers","Prophesied her wounding at Orléans","Found an ancient sword buried behind the altar at Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois","Inspired French troops to impossible victories","Her ashes were thrown into the Seine but reportedly would not sink"],"imageUrl":"https://page.gensparksite.com/v1/base64_upload/266aff4969e512854a8bf5600f02cba9","imageAttribution":"Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles VII by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1854). Louvre Museum, Paris. Oil on canvas","orderByDate":1431}