Joan of Arc executed by the English, 30 May 1431 (20th century). Claiming divine inspiration, Joan of Arc persuaded Charles VII to declare himself King of France which was ruled by England under the terms of the Treaty of Troyes signed in 1420). Joan was captured by the English and executed and martyred in 1431, but Charles went on to regain all of France from the English, with the exception of Calais. From an anti-British brochure titled Who has been the enemy of France through History? The artist is unknown.