What did joan of arc symbolize in her country and the church?
She represented the principle of leadership, and of immortality. France was being invaded by the British, and they were seizing one city after another, and the French were being routed. After divine inspiration, she went before the French king, to demand to lead the armies to victory. Not even the French king wanted to fight the British–he wanted to make deals. He thought by sending Joan of Arc into battle, he could be rid of her. She led France to victory against the British, but in the end was betrayed. The Church at that time had its own deals with the British, and so wanted to “make an example of her.” She was burned as a heretic, refusing to recant. However, in later years, it was recognized that she did indeed have inspiration from God (the issue of the Popes is a whole other story…), and was elevated to sainthood. She represents for the Church, but also for the common person, what immortality is all about. She changed the course of history with her sacrifice; France became th
