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 England and France during the Hundred Years' War 285 Church. He was a forerunner of the Protestants, who appeared a hundred and fifty years after his time. 476. Renewal of the Hundred Years' War (1415). The war between England and France almost ceased for about forty years after the death of Edward III. It was renewed in 1415, and the English king, Henry V, won another great victory at Agincourt, similar to that won at Cressy. Once more the English bowmen slaughtered great numbers of French knights. Fifteen years later the English had succeeded in conquering all of France north of the Loire River, but a considerable region to the south still continued to be held by King Charles VII of France. He was weak and in- dolent and was doing nothing to check the English victories. 477. Joan of Arc. Help came to the French from a most un- expected quarter. A peasant girl, Joan of Arc, heard voices and saw visions which led her to put on a soldier's armor, mount a horse, and go to the assistance of the great town of Orleans, which was being besieged by the English. She was accepted as a God- sent champion, and the English were routed. The "Maid of Orleans," as she came to be called, felt that her mission was fulfilled after the king had been crowned at Rheims in 1429. But the king would not let her go, and she continued to fight his battles with success. But the soldiers hated to be led by a woman, and she was soon surrendered by her enemies to the English. They declared that she was a witch, who had won her victories with the help of the devil. She was tried by a court of clergymen, found guilty, and cruelly burned alive in Rouen in 1431. 478. England loses her French Possessions. Joan of Arc died bravely. Her example had given new courage to the dispir- ited French. Moreover, the English Parliament became reluctant to grant funds for a war that was going against them. From this time on England lost ground rapidly. Her troops were expelled from Normandy in 1450, and three years later southern France passed into the hands of the French king. The Hundred Years' War was over, and the great question which had existed since the Norman Conquest, whether English kings could succeed in ex- tending their sway across the English Channel, was finally settled.