Joan of Arc was born in the small town of Domremy, France in 1412. As a little girl, her father would tell Joan of the sad conditions of France, and how France was in the possession of England. However, when she was 12 years old, she had many visions and voices in her head telling her that God had a mission for her to save France. 

   Many people tried to stop her from doing so, even her mother and father told her she shouldn’t, telling her that she needs a fine husband to care for her, but she did as she wanted anyways, and went to persuade the king at the time, Charles VII. Charles listened carefully and kindly to what Joan had to say. She told him that she was sent by God on her mission to rid of the enemies from England. After Charles and his nobles talked over the matter, they finally allowed Joan to lead an army. She led an entire army at age 18, leaving English men in astonishment when they saw her ride her horse around the walls of Orleans. 

   Joan and her army succeeded greatly, having 6,000 soldiers left, and England only having 400 soldiers left. She wished to go back to her parents, but the king urged her to stay a little longer. Joan consented, telling King Charles, “I hear the heavenly voices no more, and I am afraid.”

   Sadly, she took part in the attack upon the army of the Duke of Burgundy, and was taken prisoner by him. She was in prison for a year, and was charged for sorcery and taken to trial. 

   At the end of the long, tiring trial, she was doomed to be burned at the stake. As she was being burnt, near death, she muttered, “Jesus”, and died. A statue of her stands where she suffered, and is known as the martyr who saved France.