The Life of Joan of Arc

The Life of Joan of Arc Even though Joan of Arc was a woman, she still to this day is “the

most respected and famous fighting woman in European History ” (quotes

one author). Joan fought for what she believed in, and in the end

justice was served. She fought on the battlefield with all of her

courage and might, and she died with her pride and honor for what she

believed in. While Joan of arc was a very admirable woman, she was

also born during a battle, was called upon from saints, fought to

defend her country and people, and therefore was punished and killed

for her decisions.

Monica Bourg

Ms. Ambrose

English IV H

October 1, 2005

Maid Of Orléans

As the great Napoleon Bonaparte once said, ‘“There are only two forces

in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will

always be conquered by the spirit,”’("Napoleon Bonaparte Quotes"). No

matter how tough the battle, and how dangerous the weapons may be, if

ones spirit is kept alive they can succeed in anything. One source

comments that “An extremely strong, healthy, and possibly clairvoyant

girl was born to Jacques and Ysabeau D’arc, in the small village of

Domrémy, France; her name being Jeanne D’arc,” (“Joan of Arc” gale

group). In the time that Joan was born, a battle was dwelling, a

battle called the Hundred Years War, the war was named this because it

lasted over a hundred years. She was one of five children: Jacques,

Catherine, Jean, Joan, and Pierr...

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...ed her death felt guilty afterwards. Much to her family's

regret she was not allowed a Christian burial as her ashes were thrown

into the Seine River.

“In 1455 her family called for a new trial. In 1456, a mere 25 years

after her death, Pope Calixtus II declared that Joan was innocent in

the end; and almost 500 years later, in 1909, Pope Pius X proclaimed

her to exalt above others-a step towards sainthood in the Roman

Catholic Church; and in 1920, over 500 years after her death, “Pope

Benedict XV declared Joan of Arc a saint in 1920 her feast day, is the

day she died, May 30” stated one author, (“Joan of Arc” gale group).

“Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orléans, was neither a witch or a saint, but

by peculiar circumstances her life and death fulfilled the

requirements of both” (states one unknown author).