Joan of Arc (c. 1412 30 May 1431) also known as "the Maid of Orleans," was a 15th century Catholic Saint, and national heroine of France. A peasant girl born in Eastern France, Joan led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, claiming divine guidance, and was indirectly responsible for the coronation of King Charles VII. She was captured by the English, tried by an ecclesiastical court and burned at the stake when she was nineteen years old. Twenty-four years later, the Holy See reviewed the decision of the ecclesiastical court, found her innocent, and declared her a martyr. She was beatified in 1909 and later canonized in 1920.

This retelling of her story is from a song by Heather Dale, whose work can be found on www.heatherdale.com. (less info)