biography
| name: |
Joan of Arc, St
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Fr Jeanne d'Arc, known as the Maid of Orléans
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| sex:
| female
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| lived:
| (c.1412–31)
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| biography:
| Traditionally recognized patriot and martyr, who halted the English ascendancy in France during the Hundred Years' War, born into a peasant family in Domrémy, NE France. At the age of 13 she heard the voices of Sts Michael, Catherine, and Margaret bidding her rescue France from English domination. She was taken to the Dauphin, and eventually allowed to lead the army assembled for the relief of Orléans. Clad in a suit of white armour and flying her own standard, she entered Orléans (1429), forced the English to retire, and took the Dauphin to be crowned Charles VII at Reims. She then set out to relieve Compiègne, but was captured and sold to the English by John of Luxembourg. Put on trial (1431) for heresy and sorcery, she was found guilty by an English-constituted court, and burned. She was canonized in 1920. Recent historical evidence has challenged the traditional account, with the contention that Joan of Arc has been confused with Jehanne, the illegitimate daughter of Queen Isabeau of France and Louis, duc d'Orléans, brother of the king. Feast day 30 May. |
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