Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 29 April 1429
- The English wanted to seize the entire France, and the key for this conquest was the capture of the strategic town of Orleans. St. Joan, prompted by her Christian childhood visions, joined the fight and reversed the situation in favor of the French.
The miraculous military career of the famous Saint Joan of Arc began on this day.
That girl of only 17 years came to lead the French army defending the city of Orleans. By this time, namely, the English had conquered the entire northern half of France.
English King Henry V was crowned as King of France in Reims, which de facto overthrew the French royal dynasty from the throne.
The English wanted to seize the rest of France, and the key for this conquest was the capture of the strategic town of Orleans.
St. Joan, prompted by her Christian childhood visions, joined the fight and reversed the situation. French soldiers were motivated by her example and defeated the English at Orleans.
After this victory, St. Joan was given the name of Orleans (she was originally from the province of Lorraine).
Under her guidance, the French won impressive victories over the English in the following months, and managed to regain northern France.
When Reims was liberated, St. Joan took part in the coronation of the French dauphin (heir to the throne) as King Charles VII, which returned the French dynasty on the throne.
However, already the following year, Joan was arrested by the English. She was charged with heresy and burned at the stake when she was only 19 years old.
Pope Benedict XV declared her a saint of the Catholic Church in 1920.
