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Joan of Arc: Making a martyr

Joan of Arc was led by vivid saintly visions to shape the future of France. Bridget Kendall and guests discuss her life and death, plus her afterlife in popular culture.

Born six centuries ago, Joan of Arc is regarded as a French national heroine: a peasant girl who, inspired by saintly visions, battled to break the Siege of Orléans and see Charles VII finally crowned King of France in a grand cathedral. But in 1431, she was burned at the stake.

In this programme, Bridget Kendall and guests discuss the life and death of this medieval teenage celebrity who helped to shape the course of the Hundred Years War with England. They also reflect on her status as an enduring symbol in popular culture through the ages, including on the stage and the big screen.

Bridget is joined by film scholar Robin Blaetz, and historians Juliet Barker, Xavier Helary and Daniel Hobbins.

Photo: Joan of Arc: Painting by J D Ingres in the Louvre. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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39 minutes

Last on

Tue 25 Jul 201723:06GMT
BBC World Service except News Internet

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 22 Jul 201719:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 24 Jul 201703:06GMT
    BBC World Service Online & UK DAB/Freeview only
  • Tue 25 Jul 201708:06GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Tue 25 Jul 201717:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Tue 25 Jul 201723:06GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet

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