A national icon of France: who was Joan of Arc?

The saint, military leader and martyr was captured by the Burgundians in Compiegne

Joan of Arc
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A canonised Catholic saint, national icon of France and one of history’s most revered military leaders, Joan of Arc has remained a source of fascination for historians for almost 600 years. Following her capture by the Burgundians in Compiegne, she was found guilty of witchcraft and heresy and burned at the stake on 30 May 1431, at the age of 19.

Despite living such a short life, the legacy of Joan of Arc continues to inspire art, literature, film and TV to this day. So who was she and why was she so important?

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