My vote goes to Joan of Arc. She was the key that solidified the French army - through her moral stance and her unique vision. That army was able to hold together a rudimentary country and actually was the foundation of the modern nation France. France as a strong and individual country put an end to the Hundred Years War. Before this event Europe was a fighting ground where no real advances were possible because of the generations of random pillage and destruction. After Joan of Arc Europe was able to settle into a collection of genuine nations which through economic and scientific competition/cross fertilization gave rise to the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, and the modern systems of banking and the miliatary. And no one can deny the impact the Europeans have had on the world.
Joan was the key. Joan rules
