The influential French commander known for his impact during the Hundred Years' War was Joan of Arc. Though often referred to as a heroine and a symbol of French unity, she was a commander who significantly influenced key battles. Claiming divine guidance, Joan joined Charles VII’s campaign, leading the French army to several important victories, including the siege of Orléans in 1429, which rebuilt morale and paved the way for Charles’s coronation. Joan's dedication and bravery inspired her troops, and she became a national symbol, though she was captured and executed in 1431, later being canonized as a saint.