Jehanne d’Arc was a simple peasant living in 13th century France during the Hundred Years War. As a young girl she had visions of Archangel Michael, Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret telling her that she was chosen by God to help overthrow the English and bring Charles VII to the throne.
“I am just a poor girl who knows nothing of riding and warfare.”
Through pure faith and love of God she rode out to meet the King, was given soldiers, armor and horses, and after several key military victories brought about the recovery of France from English domination.
“Fear not, however many they may be! Neither weigh the difficulties. God guides our work. Were I not certain that God guides this work, I would rather keep sheep than expose myself to such perils.”
“Whenever I am unhappy, because men will not believe me in the things that I say at God’s bidding, I go apart and pray to God, complaining to him that those to whom I speak do not easily believe me. And when I have made my prayer to God, I hear a voice that says to me: “Child of God, go, go, go! I shall be with you to help you. Go!” And when I hear that voice I feel a great joy. Indeed, I would that I might ever be in that state.”
She was eventually captured by the English and tried for heresy because of her admission of being sent by God, and of cross-dressing for the wearing of military armor. When under inquisition she was asked if she knew God’s grace, which would have indicted her of heresy.
“If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.”
Under threat of being burned alive she signed an abjuration denying that she was sent by God, but she later revoked this and repented.
“If I should say that God had not sent me, I should damn myself. It is true that God has sent me.”
She was found guilty of heresy in the English court and burnt at the stake at the age of 19.
“I pray you, go to the nearest church, and bring me the cross, and hold it up level with my eyes until I am dead. I would have the cross on which God hung be forever before my eyes while life lasts in me.”
-All quotes from Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words
Musical piece: Rolandskvadet (The Song Of Roland) by Trio Medieval