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The Saint of Orléans: Her Legacy

Often referred to as Joan of Arc in the anglophone tradition, Jeanne d’Arc – the saint who fought to liberate France during the Hundred-Years War, the convicted heretic who was burned at the stake – never existed outside of history books. These images only superficially resemble the historical figure of Jeanne. Still, Jeanne’s image as an ancient warrior hero, an example of Divine will, or a symbol of French nationalism permeates today’s culture across the western world. How did this historical dynamism manifest in a young woman who was in the public eye for a short two years? This paper examines her incarnations as a savior, violent heretic, feminist, nationalist, and saint during her life and in the years after her death. It finds that these diverse portrayals are solely a function of the time in which they were written and served the purpose of the writer rather than reflecting Jeanne’s person, motivation, and actions. Though the truth of Jeanne’s life is perhaps ambiguous, she remains a compelling figure today because of her ability to transcend cultural differences and inspire future generations.