Essay, Biography or Paragraph on “Joan of Arc” complete biography for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Joan of Arc

France : A great patriot

Born : 1412     Died : 1431

Joan was the visionary daughter of a ploughman of Domremy in France. This valiant fighter for freedom was a woman of iron will and determination. From her early childhood she had a crunch that she was born to free her mother country, France, from the clutches of English and Burgundians in the second period of the 100 years’ war at Orleans. Henry IV of England had inflicted a crushing defeat on the French army. Joan was deeply perturbed and met Prince Charles, son of the King of France. She convinced him to allow her to fight the British as she was destined to defeat them. In 1429, Charles gave her conventional arms and some soldiers and sent her to fight against British soldiers who had laid sieze to the city of Orleans.

Joan of Arc inspired her soldiers with her personal example and attacked the British army. The soldiers were infected by her zeal and dedication and Joan won the battle. She became a national heroine. She forced Charles to ascend the throne of France. She commanded French troops at many places and won laurels in the battlefields. During one such battle, she was captured by the British. The British held a mock trial and sentenced her to death. She was burnt at the stake. She repeated the famous last words of Jesus Christ (Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing) and heroically embraced death. With this supreme sacrifice, she became immortal. Her heroic conduct inspired the French people and they ended the British supremacy over their country after a relentless fight.

Joan of Arc became a legend all over the world. As a recognition of her supreme sacrifice, she was canonised in 1920.