Joan of Arc

Hello! My name is Jeanne d'Arc, but you might know me as Joan of Arc. I was born in a small village called Domrémy in France, way back around the year 1412. When I was a girl, my country was in the middle of a long war with England. I didn't go to school; instead, I helped my parents on our farm and loved to pray in our little church.

When I was about 13 years old, something amazing happened. I began to hear what I believed were messages from God, telling me I had a very important job to do. The messages said I needed to help the true prince of France, Charles, become king and lead the French army to free my country from the English.

It was a scary idea for a young farm girl, but I knew I had to be brave. In 1429, I traveled to meet Prince Charles. It was hard to convince him, but he finally believed me and gave me my own white armor and a banner to carry. I led the French soldiers to a city called Orléans, which was under attack. We fought hard, and we won! It was a huge victory that gave everyone hope.

After our victory, I led Prince Charles all the way to the city of Reims. There, on July 17th, 1429, he was officially crowned King Charles VII, just as the messages had told me. My mission was complete! I continued to fight for France, but the next year, in 1430, I was captured by my enemies.

My enemies put me on trial, and my life came to an end in the city of Rouen on May 30th, 1431. I was only 19 years old. But my story didn't end there. Many years later, the people of France realized I had been treated unfairly, and I was declared innocent. Today, I am remembered as a hero who fought for her country and her beliefs. In 1920, I was even named a saint, and people still share my story to show that even a young person with great courage and faith can change the world.