..........................................................................Joan of Arc
......................................................................France’s greatest heroine
...............................................................................By Lizzy Heaton
...............................er.........................................

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Joan at the coronation of Charles VII


Joan of Arc was born in the province of Lorraine on Burgundian lands. Her family was loyal to Charles VII in France.When Joan was twelve years old, she claimed to have a vision with Saints Catherine, Margaret, and Michael. They told her to drive the English out of France and take the Dauphin to be crowned.
Joan then went to Count Robert de Baudricourt, asking to see the king. When Baudricourt refused, she went to Jean de Metz and Bertrand de Poulengy. Metz and Poulengy gave her the go-ahead to Joan and Baudricourt was forced to let her see Charles VII.

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A picture depicting one of Joan of Arc's visions

Joan impressed Charles VII with her speech. When Charles's mother-in-law Yolande of Aragon was planning to set out for the battle field, Joan petetioned for permission to go with her and travel with the army. Charles told her yes.

Joan had to depend on donated items for her armor, horse, banner, sword, and entourage. Even though, when she asked Dauphin Charles to be equipped for war and place her at the head of the battle, he said yes. People say it was because the French had lost hope because they were losing so badly. It was quite a surprise when Joan won the battle! "She proceeded to lead the army in an astounding series of victories that reversed the tide of the war."
On May of 1430, Joan was captued and held at trial by the English. They committed her of hersey and found her guilty. She was burned at the stake on May 30th, 1431. Joan is said to have asked for a cross in her pocket and a wooden cross in front of her as she died because she was afraid to be damned.

Joan's mother Isabelle Romée and Jean Brehal asked for a retrial after the war ended. They wanted to see if the trial had been handled justly according to cannon law. As it turns out, Joan of Arc was proclaimed innocent on July 7th, 1456, nearly twenty-five years after her death.



Bibliography:

What was Joan of Arc's impact on history?. 2009. Yahoo! Answers. 16 April 2009 <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid-20080218120555AAkjtO>.

Joan of Arc. 16 April 2009. Wikipedia. 16 April 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc>.

Who's Who in Medieval History. 2009. About.com. 17 April 2009 <http://historymedren.about.com/library/who/blwwjoan.htm>.

Photo 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ingres_coronation_charles_vii.jpg
Photo 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jeanne_d%27_Arc_(Eugene_Thirion).jpg