The Fantastic 3!
Joan of Arc
(The "chosen" one)
Biological Information
Joan of Arc's legitimate name is Jeanne D'Arc. She was born in Domremy, France in 1412 to Jacques and Ysabeau D'Arc on the Christian holiday of Epiphany. When she was around 12, she started hearing "voices" which were of St. Micheal, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret. Joan was a very interesting girl, her personality can go from religious and determined to crazy and courageous. Sadly, she died in Rouen, France at the age of 19 years old at the stake, where they burned her body twice to prevent the collection of her ashes.
Quote
“I am not afraid... I was born to do this.”
Memorable Moments & Importance
During the Battle of Hastings, Joan crossed the English Channel with her Norman knights and defeated her enemy, Harold, which took her 10 months to defeat, but it's better late than never! She went to Chinon, where she acknowledged Charles VII, and told him to go to his coronation. Also, when she was 15 years old, she led French soldiers to victory in the Battle of Orleans against the English. Also, she had her two brothers Jean and Pierre on her side. Today doctors would diagnose her with disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. She had a temper, for example, if a knight was cursing, she wouldn't be the best of "friends" with them. She was extremely important, because without her the French would not have had a leader to lead them to victory over the English in the Battle of Orleans. If she didn't decide to go tell Charles VII to go to his coronation, he wouldn't not have been king. She accomplished a lot, but I would say her victory at Battle of Orleans ,because at such a young age she was able to lead a whole army to victory against the English.
Joan at the stake. (aka where she died)
Hundred Years War in action!
Joan leading French soldiers to victory at the Battle of Orleans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?edufilter=E-nIA6VrvGA5Avu83FoomA&v=gX8o6QB1FSk
William the Conqueror
(King of Both Worlds)
Biological Information
William the Conqueror wasn't always called that, his name before he changed it to that was William I. William was born in Falaise, France in the year 1027 to Robert I, duke of Normandy and Herleva, a peasant girl. He was only 8 years old, when he became the Duke of Normandy, and with the help of Henry I of France, he managed to get through the early years.He was a very smart man and sharpness which helped him through adulthood. He was also tough, brave, inspirational ,and religious. He ruled England for 21 years and Normandy for 31 more. He died in 1087 in Rouen, France, no one exactly knows the reason why, but some say that his death was caused by injuries from falling off a horse.
Quote
"Life yields only to the conqueror. Never accept what can be gained by giving in. You will be living off stolen goods, and your muscles will atrophy."
Memorable Moments & Importance
William created a feudal system, and he took land from people who fought against him, and gave it to around 200 Norman earls and barons. He then created the Doomsday book which helped the king set up an accurate central tax system. After the Battle of Hastings, William did all he could to take the crown of England ,and eventually he did. Then a revolt (which was against him) was put down, and that was the last of the major things that tried to throw him off the thrown. He made an important decision, when he decided to follow his dream to rule England and succeeded. We should care about him, because he created the Doomsday book which helped him with the tax system. I would say that getting crowned king of England was his most significant accomplishment ,because he was already Duke of Normandy, and then he decides to take charge of another country with out any doubts. Something you may not know about William is that his wife, Matilda didn't want to marry him at first, but eventually they did marry and had 10 kids ,and when she passed away, he went into a huge depression. Even though he was crowned king of England, he couldn't speak it, even though he tried. Lastly, when it came to weight he was very touchy, at one time during his life, he had a diet of only wine and spirit, but it unsuccessful.
William the Conqueror in his later years.
Battle of Hastings getting heated up!
Doomsday Book, looking all old and wise!
Horrible Histories- Rulers Song
King John
(Landless Boy)
Biological Information
King John was born December 24, 1166 in Beaumont Palace, Oxford to Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. (He attempted to kill them & Eleanor is only his second step mother). He was also known as John Lackland due to the fact that his brothers had dukedom and he did not. He was succeeded into the throne of England April 6, 1199. His personality wasn't one of the best. He was a cruel, disloyal, immoral, and a BIG womanizer. He married a woman named Avisa, but then they had their marriage annulled. But after he remarried Isabelle of Angouleme ,and they had 5 children. He passed away October 19, 1216 at Newark.
Memorable Moments & Importance
King John had accepted the Magna Carta (which he didn't want to accept), which meant he could not collect taxes form nobles without them knowing or taking their property without paying for it. In 1215, a very powerful group came together against him ,because he made them very angry! He and Pope Innocent were in a conflict where Innocent wanted a man named Stephen Langton to be archbishop, but the king didn't want him to ever into the kingdom. So when the Pope started to make some trouble which distressedthe King's people, John gave in. Then in 1211 he rejects a Welsh rebellion as invalid. I think that we should care about him, because he may have not made a good impact onto England ,but he did do some good things such as accept the Magna Carta. I think an important decision he made was accept the Magna Carta, because not only was he going to be killed if he didn't accept it ,but he helped nobles from not being over taxed, I also think that the acceptance of the Magna Carta was a significant accomplishment he made. Some facts you may not have known about him was that he died after eating peaches. Make you think twice if peaches are really "just" fruit.
Quote
"Darn that Magna Carta, now I can't take their money."
King John accepting the Magna Carta
King John posing after crying over the fact of not being able to tax anymore.
The culprit of King John's death.
Horrible Histories - King John Online