One of the most influential women of the 15th century, and perhaps of all time, was Joan of Arc, first known as Jeanne d'Arc. She was born to a peasant family in Domremy-Greux in Lorraine, France, sometime around 1412 (presumably January 6th). During this time, the Hundred Years’ War was coming into its 76th year of existence. The war first began in 1337 and turned into a series of conflicts between England and France that lasted over 116 years. Coincidentally, it was because of this that despite having little wealth or social standing, Joan’s father, Jacques, was eager to discuss politics whenever they received visitors for dinner (Beckwith 10). Joan spent the next seventeen years working on her family's farm as a shepherdess and a seamstress …show more content…
Regardless of the actual cause behind said visions, at the time Joan and the world around her believed them to be spiritual in nature (d’Orsi and Tinuper 153-154). As Joan was brought to trial at the age of nineteen, she revealed that her rise to power was a direct result of following a series of visions she had as a young girl. For this reason, the Hundred Years War shifted into a highly religious conflict (Taylor 231-232). Despite her efforts to turn the tide of the war and helping to win a pivotal battle in Orleans, Joan was captured and put on trial for heresy. After a trial that lasted several months, Joan was named a heretic and burned at the stake in 1431 (O’Reilly 22). Centuries later, in 1920, her crimes would be absolved and Joan obtain sainthood in the Catholic church and become recognized as a strong woman of power for assuming roles traditionally expected of men (Beckwith 12). In short, Joan lived a tumultuous, brief life by experiencing religious visions at a young age, assuming a demanding position the Hundred Years War, and being sentenced to death as a heretic. Truthfully, because of her strong will and determination Joan of Arc was, and always will be, a major influence for female empowerment, serving as a visionary, war hero, and even a