Joan of Arc was born into a simple family in a small French town in the fifteenth century. She had no idea that one day she would be remembered as a great military leader. As a young girl, Joan cared for the sick, gave money to the poor, and attended church services. She prayed daily that France would be delivered from the English and Burgundian invaders who were ravishing the country. When Joan was thirteen, she had a life-changing experience. The archangel Michael appeared in a vision and told her that she would save the kingdom of France and lead the dauphin (heir to the throne) to Reims Cathedral to be crowned king. Joan could not imagine how she, a peasant girl, could do these extraordinary things, but she also realized that she must follow God's will. Calling herself the Maid of God, she set off to gather an army, win a number of crucial battles, and install the dauphin on the French throne. Although the king later deserted her when France's enemies put her on trial for heresy and burned her at the stake, her bravery and faith inspired the French people and led them to victory.