What If… JOAN OF ARC HAD NOT BROKEN THE SIEGE OF ORLEANS?

This article focuses on Joan of Arc’s pivotal role during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, particularly her leadership in breaking the Siege of Orleans in 1429. Joan, a teenage peasant girl who claimed divine guidance through visions, inspired the French to rally against English occupation, enabling the coronation of Charles VII and altering the course of the war. Her military successes, despite lacking formal training, revitalized French morale and challenged English dominance, though her later capture and execution were politically motivated. The article also explores the broader historical implications of her actions, suggesting that without Joan’s intervention, the political landscape of France and England—and subsequent European history—might have been significantly different.