Joan of Arc: podcast appearances and interviews

Joan of Arc was a French national heroine and Catholic saint recognized for her role during the Hundred Years' War. Born around 1412 in Domrémy, she came from a propertied peasant family in northeast France. Claiming to have received divine guidance from archangels and saints, she believed she was chosen to aid France in its conflict with England. At approximately seventeen years old, she convinced Charles VII to allow her to join the French relief effort at Orléans in 1429. Her presence and leadership boosted French morale, leading to the lifting of the siege and subsequent military victories. These successes ultimately facilitated the coronation of Charles VII in Reims, an event that marked a turning point in the war. Following these accomplishments, Joan participated in additional military campaigns, though not all were successful. Her military efforts were interrupted when she was captured by Burgundian troops in 1430 and handed over to the English. She was tried by Bishop Pierre Cauchon on charges of heresy, which included accusations of blasphemy and acting on demonic visions. She was found guilty and burned at the stake in 1431 at approximately nineteen years old. An inquiry in 1456 overturned her verdict, declaring her trial was unjust. Joan is regarded as a symbol of hope, faith, and national pride. Her canonization occurred in 1920, and she was later declared one of France's patron saints. She remains a prominent figure in various cultural works and is honored as a martyr and symbol of independence.