Joan of Arc, also called the "Maid of Orleans" is the patron saint of France and is regarded as a national heroine. She led the resistance to the English invasion of France in the Hundred Years War. She was born in Domremy on the border of provinces of Lorraine and Champagne on January 6 in 1412. She was born third of five children to farmer Jacques Darc and Isabelle de Vouthon. Much of Joan's time was spent tending to the herds on her father's farm and learning religion and housekeeping skills from her mother.

During the summer of 1425, at the age of about twelve to thirteen years old, Joan began to hear voices that she recognized to be the voices of St. Michael, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine whom she believed was sent by God. At first, it was simply a voice, as if someone had spoken quite close to...