Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc was a legendary figure from medieval France, because she is remembered as a heroine of the Hundred Years’ War. Born in the early 15th century, Joan was a peasant girl. She claimed to have received visions from God to lead the French army against the English. Joan also vowed to restore the French king, Charles VII, to his rightful throne. Her charisma quickly made her a figure of national importance. She lifted the spirits of the French people. Joan led the French army to several victories. She became a symbol of French nationalism. However, Joan’s success was short-lived. She was captured by the English in 1430 and put on trial for heresy. Found guilty, she was burned at the stake in 1431. Her death, however, only served to further solidify her as a national heroine. She was eventually turned into a saint in the early 20th century.