Joan was born into a substantial peasant family at Domremy in the Muese region of eastern France. She had a happy childhood but wasn’t able to read or write. When she was 14 she began to hear voices telling her it was her mission to save France. Many dismissed her, laughed at her and sent her home.

But as time went on she was given a chance to prove herself. She played a huge part in defeating the English at Compiegne. But they made sure she was arrested and accused her of witchcraft. On 30 May she was burned at the stake in Rouen. She bravely answered a call she saw as coming from God and followed the course it dictated to the bitter end.