Oil on board, 60×40cm (24’’x16’’)

Joan, la Pucelle, French national heroine, born 600 years ago- probably to the month, although her exact date of birth is unknown. A valiant maiden, hearer of voices, inspirer and leader of victorious armies. She turned the tide against the English in the 100 years war, and transformed the dynastic struggle that marred her land into a war of national liberation. She raised the siege of Orleans, captured various fortresses and bridges, and facilitated the recovery of Rheims, enabling the coronation of her prince, the Dauphin in its cathedral.
After her capture in 1430 by Burgundians, then allies of the English, she was sold-out and subjected to a travesty of a heresy trial. Convicted of nothing more heretical than wearing male clothing, she was burnt at the stake aged only 19- a fate hinted at here by the reflection of flame in her armour. She was subsequently exonerated, and regarded as a saint and martyr, except by the likes of Shakespeare (Henry VI Part 1) and Dennis Wheatley (The Devil and All His Works), who perpetuated the enormity that she was a practitioner of the dark arts.