Monsieur Lepoutre. -Painting by Amedo Modigalini

Joan of Arc was a peasant girl from the French village of Domremy. She believed she had been called by God to deliver the French from English dominion which had lasted since Henry V had crushed the French Army at Agincourt in 1415. Joan was deeply perturbed and met Prince Charles, son of the King of France. She convinced him to allow here to fight the British as she was destined to defeat them. In 1429, Charles gave her conventional arms and some soldiers and sent her to fight against British soldiers who had laid seize to the city of Orleans.

Joan of Arc inspired her soldiers with her personal example and attacked the British army. The soldiers were infected by her Zeal and dedication and Joan won the battle. She became a national heroine. She forced Charles to ascend the throne of France. She commanded French troops at ,many places and won laurels in the battlefields. During one such battle, she was captured by the British. The British burnt her alive at the stake as a witch after a trial that was a mockery of justice. She repeated the famous last words of Jesus Christ “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” and heroically embraced death. With this supreme sacrifice, she became immortal. Her heroic conduct inspired the French people and they ended the British supremacy over their country after relentless fight.

Joan of Arc became a legend all over the world. As a recognition of her supreme sacrifice, she was recognition 1920.