Two chapters lie back to back in my vintage copy of Creasy's Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World. One is the French victory at Orleans in 1429 and the other is the defeat of the Spanish armada in 1588. I reckon if you can change the world with a plain old handle like Joan or Elizabeth then maybe that's all you need. "I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms..." - Elizabeth I to the troops at Tilbury

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken