The trial and execution of Joan of Arc.
The 23rd of May 1430 saw the end of Joan’s illustrious military career.
‘At Compiegne in the heat of battle, Joan was thrown from her saddle!
Captured by the Burgundians, was she now up the creek without a paddle?
Joan was now the prisoner of the commander of the forces, Jean de Luxembourg. At this point Joan, who considered herself to be a soldier, expected to be ransomed and returned to the service of King Charles VII. Nevertheless, she made a number of unsuccessful attempts to escape.
‘Now in captivity, Joan expected to be freed after the payment of a ransom!
Of course, the price for the return of such a prize, would be a sum most handsome!’
However, this was not to be. The English were determined to lay their hands on the Maid. Joan was indeed ransomed, but not back to the loyal people of France! In November the Burgundians sold Joan to the English for 10,000 livres.
‘Blood money! English money for Joan’s flesh and blood!
The tears of the loyal French poured down their cheeks in a flood!’
The Maid was transported to Rouen for trial on many charges, including murder and dressing as a man.
‘But what was the attitude of Charles VII, the king?
In his mind, did not a multitude of alarm bells ring?’
Clearly, the king was greatly disturbed but what could he do? Charles knew full well that the English would never hand Joan back no matter what ransom they were offered. She had humiliated them on the field of battle and for that she had to die. Joan was to be tried by the Church and the presiding judge was to be Pierre Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais.
The trial of Joan of Arc.
Her trial began on February 21st 1431 in Rouen. The charges against her consisted of: blasphemy, claiming to be able to tell the future, holding the belief that she had already been assured of salvation and wearing men’s clothing. Her claims that she had received commands directly from God were of particular concern to the judges.
Bishop Cauchon presiding at the trial of Joan of Arc.
The judges urged Joan to renounce her assertions about receiving orders from God, and repent her actions. This Joan refused to do, and weeks went by. On May 23rd 1431, the court handed down its verdict. The next day, Joan was taken to the cemetery of the abbey of Saint-Ouen to hear her sentence pronounced in the presence of the general public. That sentence was to be death by fire. However, if she were to recant her assertions regarding voices, she would be spared the agonies of the stake.
‘You will escape death by fire, if you say that you never actually heard the mysterious heavenly voices!
Imprisoned for life and branded a blasphemous liar, but allowed to live! Boy, don’t you get some damn horrible choices!’
At the last moment, Joan changed her mind and declared that she would submit to Mother Church. She announced that she renounced her previous statements regarding her visions and voices. She swore that never again would she don the garb of a man and promised to dress as a woman should. As a consequence of this confession she was spared the stake and was sentenced to life imprisonment. The populace were furious, they wished to see this witch put to death at the stake. Their howls of indignation raised the roofs of the city of Rouen. Joan was taken back to her cell to begin her life of perpetual imprisonment.
‘But back in the solitude of her prison cell, Joan decided to disown her recantation!
She now announced to Cauchon that her confession at Saint-Ouen was an aberration!’
On May 29th she was visited by Cauchon in her cell. He saw that she was attired in male clothing, and he expressed his displeasure that she had broken her promise. Thus, Joan now pronounced a death sentence on herself. There was to be no turning back from death by fire. Her only path forward was the one that led to the stake, the funeral pyre.
‘Facing a life which offered nothing but a situation so dreadfully dire!
Joan opted for an immediate death atop a prepared pyre!’
The call of the executioner.
‘A crude cap was placed upon her condemned head!
The inscription, a tissue of lies which read!
Idolater and heretic!
These words would make every decent Christian sick!’
On the morning of May 30th, Joan was led from her cell in the castle and placed on a cart and transported to the market place of Rouen. Upon her head was a cap bearing the inscriptions ‘idolater” and ‘heretic’ The crowds lining the streets were immense. She was accompanied by a friar, Brother Martin, who had heard her confession and from whom she had received holy communion. Joan was then tied to the stake, clutching a crucifix that she had been given. The executioner lit the pyre and the flames roared high. Very soon Joan, the Maid of Orleans was dead.
