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Joan of Arc
Key traits: courage, vision
Joan of Arc was originally a peasant girl who started hearing the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret urging her to chase the English and their allies out of France. The dauphin had not yet been crowned king, despite his father’s death, so there was unrest over who would be the new king. Joan traveled from her hometown to the nearest stronghold loyal to the dauphin to ask to fight on his side. The captain of the garrison told her no because she was a sixteen-year-old girl, but she came back the next year and asked again. This time he could see how serious she was, so dressed in men’s clothes, and accompanied by male soldiers, she traveled for eleven days to see the dauphin, Charles. She told him her vision and was questioned for several days before it was decided that she could fight. In Orléans, she led the other soldiers into taking a fort back from the English. She valiantly fought and led many other battles against the English until she was captured by their forces. She tried to escape twice but was put on trial and then burned at the stake. Throughout the trial and execution, even when she became very sick, she stayed loyal to her truth and listened to the guidance of the saints.
Power Quote: “I am not afraid; I was born to do this.”