Joan of Arc

Born to a peasant family in Domremy, northeast France, during the Hundred Years' War. Can't read or write. At 13, she begins hearing voices she identifies as the Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine. They tell her to drive the English from France and deliver the Dauphin to his coronation.

Arrives at Orleans with the French army at age 17, carrying a white banner. The city has been under English siege for months. Nine days after her arrival, the English abandon the siege. She doesn't fight with a sword. She carries her banner into battle and rallies the troops with it.

Stands beside Charles VII at Reims Cathedral as he's crowned King of France. She'd opened the road to Reims by winning the battle of Patay. The coronation gives Charles legitimacy. Joan begs him to let her march on Paris. He hesitates.

Captured by Burgundian troops at Compiegne. She'd been organizing a volunteer company to relieve the besieged city. The Burgundians sell her to the English for 10,000 livres. Charles VII, the king she crowned, makes no effort to ransom her.

Burned at the stake in Rouen at about age 19. Convicted of heresy for wearing men's clothes and claiming divine visions. The trial is rigged by Bishop Pierre Cauchon, who is loyal to the English. Her last word is "Jesus." The executioner later says he feared being damned for burning a saint.

Canonized by Pope Benedict XV, 489 years after her execution. A reinvestigation in 1456 had overturned the conviction, declaring the trial "tainted by deceit and procedural errors." She is now a patron saint of France.