Joan of Arc was (probably) born on this day in 1412, in the town of Domremy in northeastern France. The kingdom had been locked in a war with England for nearly a century, and at the time of Joan's birth had lost control of much of Northern France. At just 16 years old in 1428, Joan began to hear voices of Christian saints, urging her to take arms in support of the French monarchy. Somehow she managed to talk soldiers into taking her to the man ruling the French, the son of the late Charles VI, and convinced him to put her in charge of a small group of soldiers.
The future Charles VII needed to get to the city of Reims to become king, but that city was under English control. Dressed as a soldier and believing she was literally doing God's work, Joan helped retake the city of Orleans (getting shot by an arrow in the process) and continued fighting until the French army reached Reims, where Charles VII was crowned.
A few months later, she was captured and put on trial for heresy by a local church that favored the English. Her belief that her work was ordained by God, and her wearing of men's clothes, were considered heretical. She was forced to swear that her visions weren't real and that she would dress as she was expected to. But a few days later, she stated her oath had been a lie and put her armor back on. The church followed through on its threat, infamously burning Joan at the stake at only 19 years old.
You can read more about Joan of Arc at History.com.
