As the Flames Rose to Her Roman Nose

On this day, in 1429, Jeanne d'Arc wrote to Duke Philip of Burgundy:

Great and formidable Prince, Duke of Burgundy, Joan the Maiden requests of you, in the name of the King of Heaven, that the King of France and yourself should make a good firm lasting peace. Fully pardon each other willingly, as faithful Christians should do; and if it should please you to make war, then go against the Saracens. I request as humbly as I can that you wage war no longer in the holy kingdom of France, and order your people in any towns and fortresses of the kingdom to withdraw promptly. As for the King of France, he is ready to make peace with you, saving his honour; if you're not opposed. And I tell you, in the name of the King of Heaven, for your well-being and your honour and upon our lives, that you will never win a battle against the loyal French.

She was 17 years old.

The National Theatre has a wonderful play on her at the moment, worth checking out: Saint Joan

Cyberhug to the first person who visits her page in Wikipedia and spots the change I made.

And if you wish to hear a brilliant cover version of Kate Bush's "Cloudbusting", go to this page. The flames may be licking your walkmen, but you won't care because you'll be in Electropop Heaven.