The Shocking Execution That Turned Joan of Arc into a Legend
Burned as a heretic, remembered as a saint—how the death of 19-year-old Joan of Arc shaped history.
Joan of Arc was a Catholic saint who, at just 19 years old, led the French army to key victories during the Hundred Years’ War. Disguising herself as a man, she became a symbol of courage and faith.
At the age of twelve, Joan claimed to have had divine visions of Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret, which she believed guided her mission.
How did Joan of Arc die?
During the siege of Compiègne in 1430, she was captured by Burgundian forces and subsequently sold to their English allies. She was prosecuted by a pro-English church court at Rouen, Normandy in 1431. The court found her guilty of heresy and she was burned at the stake.
Joan’s story continues to inspire, with actress Ingrid Bergman famously portraying her in a 1948 film directed by Victor Fleming.
Joan of Arc’s death had a profound impact on history in several key ways:
- Strengthened French Nationalism – Her execution fueled a stronger sense of unity and resistance among the French, helping turn the tide of the Hundred Years’ War. Just 22 years later, France decisively defeated the English, leading to the end of the war.
- Exposed Corruption in the Church and Politics – Joan was convicted in an English-backed trial by the pro-English faction of the Catholic Church. 25 years after her death, in 1456, the Church overturned her conviction, highlighting how political manipulation had tainted religious authority. Pope Callixtus III recognized her as a martyr.
- Inspired Future Revolutions and Martyrs – Joan became a symbol of resistance and faith, influencing leaders and movements fighting against oppression, from the French Revolution to modern freedom struggles.
- Elevated the Role of Women in History – Though medieval Europe was deeply patriarchal, Joan’s military leadership and unwavering conviction proved that women could lead and influence history. She remains an enduring figure of female strength and resilience.
- Her Canonization Cemented Her Legacy – In 1920, Joan was declared a saint, reinforcing her place as a cultural and religious icon, not just in France but worldwide.
Her execution was meant to silence her, but instead, it immortalized her as one of history’s most powerful symbols of faith, bravery, and justice.