She was from a peasant family and was born in the early fifteenth century in a village in Northern France known as Domremy.
By the age of 12, she later explained that she began hearing the voices in her head, over her right shoulder specifically and accompanied with a bright light. She also later said that she was better able to hear them when bells rang, leading today's psychologists to believe she was suffering from mental illness symptoms, most likely schizophrenia or a gradual destruction of the brain's cognitive/perceptual abilities, and numerous others that cause hallucinations.
Interestingly, Joan of Arc was illiterate and despite this handicap she was still able to command the French army with intellect and sharp grasp of military strategy.
When the voices in her head grew stronger, she decided to seek out King Louis, the French king at the time in order to save France and bring the next king, Charles VII, to the throne.
In order to travel the distance, she dressed in a male disguise to be able to arrive at her destination without being raped or turned back for being a woman.
After successfully leading the French army against the almost invincible and powerful British army in a number of battles and sieges, most memorably the siege of Orleans, Joan was captured and tried for heresy on about seventy counts, many of which were dismissed because of certain morals she upheld.
While her devout faith was clearly seen in her determination, the court was angered at her cross-dressing and her claims that God spoke to her.
However, some defended her cross-dressing, and she herself explained that she was fully dressed in men's clothes and armor during war at all times because her virginity was often threatened, especially after she was captured in her prison cell. Others saw that it was necessary because she was after all, doing a "man's work" and she did not want to seem like a desirous woman. By cross-dressing, she eliminated men's view of her as a woman and instead as a leader.
Although she challenged the medieval expectations of women, she wasn't a feminist. She went so far as to expel female followers of the army and used force when necessary. Joan of Arc believed that extraordinary people from whatever status, if divinely chosen, can rise to the occasion.
During the trial, she was confirmed as a virgin and so could not in actuality be convicted of witchcraft. She was burned at the stake after signing a document she couldn't read that stated she would give up men's clothing, etc.
While Joan of Arc dressed as a man and cropped her hair short in a hairstyle known as the "pageboy" cut, made popular by the knights at the time, she dressed as a woman when not necessary to engage in war.
She agreed to dress as a woman during the trial, but her guards attempted to rape her so she donned men's clothing once again.
Joan of Arc died as a woman, in a dress marked with a cross.
Stilke Hermann Anton - Joan of Arc's death at the stake
The fact that she was a virgin and expelled females from the army and dressed as a man to preserve her virginity makes her a political figure of virtue and inspiration because she was a sorely needed hero during the Hundred Years' War.
Her rebellious hair (although not actually intended to be rebellious) inspired the Roaring Twenties' flappers to crop their hair short as well in a style known as the "bob," which originated in Paris in 1909.
Joan of Arc should not be considered a feminist, yet her transformation from a woman to a man in order to carry out her "God-given" duty is one that intrigues us still today because it was considered almost heretical and forbidden by the Church; yet she was a virgin. Virgins were highly regarded because they represented the ideal Medieval God-fearing woman, and so Joan of Arc possessed a sort of leadership and power because she was so devout and firm in her faith. Her cross dressing was not done to offend the Church but rather to protect her virginity - a confusing act for the court in England to interpret as heretical.
She challenges gender roles today because what defines a "man's job" ? What defines a "woman's job" ? She is still an enduring figure of interest today because of her unique traits and defiance of criticism.
Her transformation reflects the very struggles that broke down medieval society - are the established rules always right?
Sites for information
http://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-joan-of-arc
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