Joan of Arc was a French heroine born somewhere around 1412, in Domremy, France. She kept the French from being beaten by England during the Hundred Years' War by defeating the English who had taken control of the city Orleans. The French were able to regain control of the city. For this she was nicknamed the "Maid of Orleans."

Jeanne d'Arc (her French name) was a healthy, strong child. Since she was a peasant, she never learned to read and write. Joan's mother was very strong in her religious beliefs so Joan grew up as a devoted Catholic.

Some historians think that it is possible that Joan was psychic. When Joan was thirteen, she began hearing voices and having religious visions. Joan believed that the voices she was hearing were voices of saints. The voices convinced Joan that God wanted her to help Charles VII, King of France, force the English out of France.

When Joan was seventeen, she talked to the king. Those who lived in southern France saw Charles VII as their king, but the Burgundians, French people who supported the English, and the English controlled northern France would not accept Charles VII as their king. Charles had never legally been crowned king because the city where all French kings were crowned, Reims, was in possession of the enemy. The treasury was empty and arguments among Charles's advisors added to the perilous situation.

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