1. Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc was a French heroine who fought during Hundred Years war. At the beginning of 15th century, Joan led French troops and lifted the siege of Orleans, which helped to turn the tide of war. During a battle, she was captured at Compiegne by Burgundians and sold by John of Luxembourg to the English for 10,000 pounds. In a trial led by the former rector of Paris University, Joan was sentenced to death penalty and the 1st Duke of Bedford ordered her to be burnt at a stake. Almost 25 years later, her case was reopened by the Pope Callixtus III and he overturned the original conviction after new findings were found. Joan of Arc was canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and she is now considered as one of the patron saints of France.