Joan of Arc (1412-1431). She is certainly the most mythical character in French history. Of modest extraction, convinced of carrying out a divine mission, she persuaded King Charles VII to entrust her with a small army. Surrounded by seasoned captains such as Dunois, she achieved the miracle of defeating the English at the siege of Orleans. She won a clear victory in Patay and escorted the king to be crowned in Reims; all this in less than a year. Captured by the Burgundians, she was sold to the English, and finally tried for witchcraft and burned in Rouen in 1431 at the age of 19. King Charles VII tainted her image by showing no interest in her fate. Joan of Arc remains nevertheless for the French, a symbol of courage and self-sacrifice and a certain form of patriotism. Old manufacture of Gustave Vertunni, France, around 1950. Solid lead figurine. Scale 55mm to the eye line. Overall height: 60 – 65mm.
