Jeanne d’Arc – The Maid of Orleans © Jo Jayson 2013 At 13 Jeanne , a deeply pious peasant child, began to hear voices, prophesies that she was to save her beloved France from the stranglehold of the English. The voices of Archangel Michael, St Catherine and St Margaret became so loud and more frequent that in 1429, at the tender age of 17, she was moved to persuade the French army to allow her to lead the siege at Orleans….drive out the English, and allow the Dauphin Charles to be crowned King of France. Jeanne became the French Mascot, never fighting herself or ever using her sword, but holding her famous banner, she represented the courage of the Holy Warrior, the savior to the French nation and claimed the title of Maid of Orleans. Her fortunes fell, when the king lost interest in her after he had gained his crown and she was captured by the Burgundians and convicted of witchcraft and heresy . Condemned on the grounds of her perpetual insistence in wearing male clothing, Jeanne was burnt at the stake at the age of 19. Her last words as she was dying, were “Jesus”. After her violent death, she quickly became thought of as a prophetess and messenger of God and in 1920 was canonized by the Catholic Church. Jeanne’s youth and innocence yet overwhelming strength and courage are what has made her a legend and an example of martyrdom and the power of spiritual faith. Her lesson and her message is one simply that in total surrender to that sacred place of Faith and Trust……it is there that one will find their courage and strength to achieve the impossible and the seemingly insurmountable. Jeanne d’Arc is the quintessential heroine and an embodiment of feminine intuitive wisdom , courage and devotion.