HistoVisual
Portrait of Jeanne d'Arc (c. 1412 to 1431)
Medieval | France

Jeanne d'Arc

Also known as: The Maid of Orléans · La Pucelle d'Orléans · Jehanne la Pucelle

Military Leader - National Heroine of France - Catholic Saint

MilitaryReligionPoliticsLeadership
Born: c. 1412
Died: 1431
Era: Medieval
Region: France
Birthplace: Domrémy
Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl who, claiming divine guidance, led French forces to several decisive victories during the Hundred Years' War and cleared the path for the coronation of King Charles VII. Born in Domrémy to a farming family, she began hearing voices she identified as saints at age thirteen. At seventeen, she convinced the dauphin to give her command of a relief army. After lifting the siege of Orléans in nine days, she was captured by Burgundian forces, sold to the English, and burned at the stake for heresy at the age of nineteen. Posthumously rehabilitated in 1456, she was canonized as a saint in 1920 and remains the patron saint of France.

Map

Timeline

c. 1412 Event

Born in Domrémy

Born to a peasant farming family in the village of Domrémy in northeastern France, during the heart of the Hundred Years' War.

1425 Event

First Visions

Around age thirteen, she began hearing voices she identified as St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret, urging her to support Charles VII.

1429 Event

Meets the Dauphin at Chinon

Travelled to Chinon and convinced the future King Charles VII to grant her command of a relief army, reportedly identifying him disguised among courtiers.

1429 Event

Lifts the Siege of Orléans

Led French forces to break the English siege of Orléans in just nine days, a turning point that transformed the war's momentum.

1429 Event

Coronation of Charles VII

Escorted Charles VII to Reims Cathedral for his coronation, fulfilling the mission her voices had assigned and legitimizing the French crown.

1429 Event

Battle of Patay

French forces crushed the English field army at Patay, largely destroying English power in northern France and cementing Joan's reputation.

1429 Victory

Siege of Orléans

Orléans, France - vs English forces under Talbot and Scales - Breaking the five-month siege transformed the war's momentum and made Joan famous across France overnight.

1429 Victory

Battle of Jargeau

Jargeau, France - vs English forces under the Earl of Suffolk - Cleared English garrisons from the Loire valley and captured the Earl of Suffolk.

1429 Victory

Battle of Patay

Patay, France - vs English forces under Talbot and Fastolf - Destroyed the English field army; Lord Talbot was captured, reversing English dominance in northern France.

1430 Event

Captured at Compiègne

Captured by Burgundian forces during a skirmish outside Compiègne and sold to the English for 10,000 livres.

1430 Defeat

Battle of Compiègne

Compiègne, France - vs Burgundian forces under John of Luxembourg - Joan was captured here; her capture led directly to her trial and execution in Rouen.

1431 Event

Burned at the Stake in Rouen

Condemned for heresy and cross-dressing by a Church court operating in English interests; executed in Rouen's market square at age nineteen.

1456 Event

Posthumous Rehabilitation

A retrial ordered by Pope Callixtus III declared her innocent, annulled the original verdict, and proclaimed her a martyr.

Family Tree

Parents

Jacques d'Arc

Father

c. 1380-1440

Isabelle Romée

Mother

c. 1385-1458

Subject & Siblings

Joan of Arc

Self

c. 1412 - 1431

Jacquemin d'Arc

Brother

Jean d'Arc

Brother

Pierre d'Arc

Brother

Key Contributions

  1. Shield Siege of Orléans

    Broke the English siege of Orléans in nine days, reversing the course of the Hundred Years' War and saving the French monarchy.

  2. Crown Coronation of Charles VII

    Ensured the coronation of Charles VII at Reims, legitimizing the French royal line at its most vulnerable moment.

  3. Eye Visions and Divine Mission

    Claimed divine guidance from saints, making her one of history's most celebrated mystic military commanders.

  4. Star Catholic Canonization

    Canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, she is the patron saint of France and an enduring symbol of national identity.

Fun Facts

Sword

Wore Full Plate Armor

Joan wore custom-made white plate armor in battle, becoming immediately recognizable on the battlefield despite being a teenager.

Zap

Shot by an Arrow and Returned to Fight

At the siege of Orléans, Joan was struck by an arrow above her breast. She pulled it out, prayed briefly, and returned to lead the assault the same day.

FileText

Dictated Letters to the English

Joan dictated several letters to English commanders demanding they abandon France, signing them boldly "Jehanne la Pucelle" — Joan the Maid.

Death

Execution by burning — conviction of heresy and cross-dressing

May 30, 1431 — Burned at the Stake, Rouen

Location

Location: Old Market Square (Place du Vieux-Marché), Rouen, Normandy

Burial: Seine River, Rouen, France

Those Present

  • Pierre Cauchon

    Bishop who presided over the heresy trial on behalf of English political interests.

Impact

Joan's execution shocked many in France and across Europe. The English hoped to discredit Charles VII by association, but the effect was the opposite. French forces rallied, and within two decades the English were expelled from most of France, concluding the Hundred Years' War. Joan became the defining symbol of French national identity for all subsequent centuries.

See Also

Other Figures

Related Sites

"I am not afraid. I was born to do this."

Attributed, from her trial records, 1431