France was in trouble! The Dauphin was in trouble! Only a miracle could save them from the English. That was 1412, the year Joan was born. Who ever thought that a poor peasant girl like Joan would become the savior of France?Joan was a helpful girl helping her father on their farm and her mother with household chores. Her father's name was Jacques d' Arc, and her mother's name was Isabellette Romee. Joan had four brothers and sisters. She couldn't read or write and didn't have a good education, but she loved God and went to church often. Even though they were poor peasants, her father was the mayor of their small village, Domremy. One summer day beside a beautiful old tree in her father's garden, Joan heard the voice of St. Michael the Archangel. Later, she heard the voices of St. Catherine and St. Margaret. She had many visions! The Saints all told her to be a good girl and go to church more often. They also told her that God had a very special mission for her! They told her God had sent her to save France and crown the Dauphin, Charles.So, shocking everyone, Joan cut her hair and dressed in men's clothing. She traveled through enemy lands to Chinon to meet the Dauphin. When she arrived at the castle the Dauphin was dressed in an outfit less splendid than one of his courtiers, so that he would not attract her attention. Joan, who had never seen the Dauphin, went right over to him and said that God had sent her to crown and aid him. She convinced him to be crowned and to let her fight. With the help of Joan, the Dauphin was crowned King Charles VII of France, in the city of Reims. Joan, not the typical teenager, led the French army to many victories. Because this teen was so amazing, the British were scared of her. They captured her on May 23, 1430. She was now a prisoner of war! She was imprisoned in a horrible dark dungeon, in the castle of Beaurevoir, and her English captors beat and taunted her. While trying to escape, she fell to the bottom of the castle walls and miraculously lived! Her King, the one she helped crown, didn't make a move to rescue her! King Charles and others in his court thought she was too powerful and possibly a witch! Poor Joan! She was really in trouble now. Many religious leaders interviewed Joan. Since she wouldn't deny that she was God's messenger, she was put on trial for heresy. During her trial, she made the judges smile! They were amazed by her courage and determination. She was so stubborn in her beliefs that she wouldn't say what they wanted her to say. Because of this, they said Joan had to die! On May 30, 1431, Joan was dressed in a white robe and taken by cart to her execution place. She was tied to a wooden stake and burned! As she burned, she asked for a cross and died in the fire. Legend has it that as she died a white dove flew from the flames! Then all the people cried - even the Bishop! Everyone fled because they thought they had burned a saint! Twenty years later she became known as St. Joan of Arc - the savior of France at only 19 years of age! |