The trial and execution of Joan of Arc in 1431 were significant as they symbolized the intersection of religion and politics during the Hundred Years' War. Accused of heresy, her trial was politically motivated, aimed at discrediting her as a figure who had inspired French resistance against English rule. Her execution turned her into a martyr, eventually leading to her canonization in 1920. Joan’s legacy influenced French nationalism and has remained a powerful symbol of courage and faith. Her story also reflects broader themes of gender roles in history, illustrating how women challengingly appeared in patriarchal societies.