Joan of Arc

Joan of arc Joan of Arc, who was nicknamed the “Maid of Orleans”, was a patroness of soldiers and of France. She is declared to be one of the most courageous women in French history. She was determined, dedicated, and smart. Joan of Arc is truly the definition of a leader. Joan of arc was born to parents of the peasant class. At a very early age, it is said that she heard the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret. When she first began to hear the messages, they weren’t very personal; in actuality they were pretty general. At the age of 16 she asked a kinsman to take her to nearby Vaucouleurs, where she petitioned the garrison commander, Count Robert de Baudricourt, for permission to visit the royal French court at Chinon. Baudricourt's sarcastic response did not deter her. She returned the following January and gained support from two men of standing: Jean de Metz and Bertrand de Poulengy. Under their auspices, she gained a second meeting, where she made a remarkable prediction about a military reversal near Orléans. In May of 1428, the voices came to her with a message as clear as day, go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. Around this time, the king of England was after France’s throne, and one of French king’s enemies had sided with him as well. Joan of Arc was given an army and led them into a strenuous battle; in which they returned, after a year, triumphant. For her courageous efforts, Joan of Arc, and her family were given noble status and she was looked upon by many soldiers as a mythical leader. A year after her endeavors, Joan was captured by Burgundian forces and sold to the English. They decided to put her on trial for witchcraft. They didn’t really “believe” that her visions were God sent. She was tested, and the prosecutors tried their hardest to get her to confess but she would not recant. The trial, at one time, was viewed publicly but was continued behind closed doors. Joan’s responses were quick and