Joan of ArcThe most used woman in historyWith a story as powerful today as it was 600 years ago, its not surprising that the 19 year old heroine has been used (and abused) by people who want to claim her for their cause.

From virgin to a whore, transgressive cross-dresser to saint, peasant to political icon, and a thousand more appropriations, shes been whatever people have wanted her to be...

MILITARY GENIUS

This girl could ride a war horse, fight like a seasoned soldier, strategise like a commander, deploy heavy weapons and lead an army with skill and authority.

VIRTUOUS VIRGIN

Combine a teenage virgin with a suit of armour and you get the perfect representation of virtue. All that knightly valour and honour in a inncocent female package becomes a cypher for whatever virtuous cause you want to represent...

...perfect for the SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT

SUBLIME CHILD

Mark Twain was obsessed with this aspect of her and spent 12 years writing a book in which the narrator calls her that wonderful child, that sublime personality, that spirit which in one regard has had no peer and will have none...

NOBLE PEASANT

During the 19th century, Joan became a Romantic heroine - a free spirit whose power was drawn up through her bucolic roots. This is Joan as daughter of the earth, essence of nature, unsullied by knowledge of the wider world. Schillers play The Maid of Orleons draws heavily

SAINT

WITCH

The Duke of Bedford and Bishop Cauchon - two of Joans greatest enemies - ran a powerful campaign to have her branded as a cunning witch in league with the devil. They saw her wearing of boys clothes as a perversion of womanhood, and made that the basis of their charges against her.

But by 1500 it was clear that their campaign had failed and that her legacy would be more positive than they could ever have imagined.

Joan was canonised by the Catholic Church in 1920 and made the patron saint of France. She is revered so highly that parallels with Christ wearing the crown of thorns are not uncommon. The 1928 film starring Rene Jeanne Falconetti as Joan clearly makes that link.

PERFECT SACRIFICE

Youd think this one might be a bit dated, but Joan as sacrifice is still inspiring people today. From the Traditionalist Youth Network website - Joan of Arc is a hero for her sacrifice, and she should be an inspiration to Traditionalist women and the move-ment at large... The humble sacrifice of Saint Joan of Arc and her steadfast willingness to die for her beliefs and her faith demonstrate the true Traditionalist motivation: self sacrifice for something greater than yourself. The dedication to our race, our faith, and our nation needs to be as strong as Saint Joans was.

POLITICAL ICON

French political leaders vie to claim Joan as theirs. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National lays a wreath at the statue of Joan at the May Day rally each year. In 2012 at an event to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Joans birth, President Sarkozy attempted to wrestle her from right wing ownership saying Joan doesnt belong to any party, any faction, any clan May we continue to think of her as the symbol of our unity and not leave her in the hands of those who would use her to divide. To divide in the name of Joan of Arc is to betray Joan of Arcs memory.

Left wing group Femen disprupt the Front National rally every year.

Until we know the truth of her identity, until we can examine her actions in the light of that truth, Joan of Arc will remain the vehicle of the worlds projections. But the truth is greater than the sum of the lies. She was a woman of extraordinary fortitude, courage, insight and conviction. All these are true. She was also a trained knight, an accomplished equestrian, and

a very real threat to the political elite who surrounded her king. None of these was acceptable in a woman of her time, and so the lies grew. Now, in the twenty-first century, we can begin to peel back the accretions of the centuries to expose the truth - and then deal with the backlash that will inevitably arise when the fantasy castles in the sky begin to crumble.

SO WHO WAS SHE?

MANDA SCOTTS latest novel does just this. Combining a modern day police thriller with an examination of the truth behind the myths, it weaves truth and fiction in an incendiary mix that will dispel forever the myths of the past. Forget what you thought you knew. This changes everything.

IMAGE CREDITS

MILITARY GENIUS 1. Jules Lenepveu 1886-18902. Promo image from Luc Bessons film The Messenger starring Milla Jovovich3. Hermann Anton StilkeVIRTUOUS VIRGIN1.Pauline Chase as Joan of Arc 19092. Paul Antoin de la Boulaye 19093. John Everett Millais4. The Suffragette, by The Womens Social and Political Union 19125. Punch Magazine 1918SUBLIME CHILD1. Edward Reginald Frampton 1872-19232. La Petite Jeanette, Virginie Demont-Beton3. Allan Douglas DavidsonNOBLE PEASANT1. Jules Bastien Lepage 18792. Jeanne DArc Holy Card - ref maidofheaven.com3. Jules LenepveuWITCH1. Promo Image from Madonnas Rebel Heart albumSAINT1. maidofheaven.com2. Renee Maria Falconetti directed by Carl DreyerPERFECT SACRIFICE1. Hermann Anton Stilke2. Francio Chifflart3. Jules Lenepveu 1890POLITICAL ICON1. Marine Le Penn - Ernest Morales Flickr Commons2. Statue of Joan of Arc Philadelphia - Wiki Commons3. Kenzio Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images