Joan was born a peasant girl and claimed divine guidance. She led the French army to several important victories
during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII of France.
"Tied to a tall pillar at the Vieux-Marche in Rouen, she asked two of the clergy, Fr Martin Ladvenu and Fr Isambart de la Pierre, to hold a crucifix before her. An English soldier also constructed a small cross which she put in the front of her dress. After she died, the English raked back the coals to expose her charred body so that no one could claim she had escaped alive, then burned the body twice more to reduce it to ashes and prevent any collection of relics."
Her remains were cast into the Seine.