Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc in French) is the Patron Saint of France, canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. Her Feast Day is the same day as the day she was burned for heresy in 1431, when she was only 19. This is probably because no one knows her actual birthday (just the year, 1412).
Okay, so get this. She was born a simple peasant girl, while a war had been raging for over 100 years. One day, when she was 16, she claimed to have heard a call from Michael the Archangel which told her that she is to help the French army defeat the English. And that's exactly what happened. Her victories paved for the ultimate French victory in the Hundred Years' War.
Sound like your average YA fantasy plot, right? Except it's actual historical fact. I just wish it didn't have a Game of Thrones-style ending.
Nevertheless, her impact is still felt to this day; since old curmudgeony men are still afraid of teenage girls.
Okay, so get this. She was born a simple peasant girl, while a war had been raging for over 100 years. One day, when she was 16, she claimed to have heard a call from Michael the Archangel which told her that she is to help the French army defeat the English. And that's exactly what happened. Her victories paved for the ultimate French victory in the Hundred Years' War.
Sound like your average YA fantasy plot, right? Except it's actual historical fact. I just wish it didn't have a Game of Thrones-style ending.
Nevertheless, her impact is still felt to this day; since old curmudgeony men are still afraid of teenage girls.