Joan of Arc, who led the French army to several victories, was captured by the English and put on trial for heresy. The trial, led by Bishop Pierre Cauchon, who had negotiated her sale to the English, aimed to discredit her and her claim that God supported Charles's claim to the French throne. Joan refused to recant her visions, which she believed were from God, and was eventually convicted of heresy and sentenced to death by burning at the stake.
However, 18 years after her execution, Charles VII, who had become more powerful, instigated a retrial that cleared Joan's name. The trial was seen as a way to rewrite history and recast the war as a French victory over the English. Over time, Joan's status as a national symbol grew, and in 1920, she was officially declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The trial of Joan of Arc began on February 21st.
2. Bishop Pierre Cauchon led the trial, which was designed to discredit Joan and Charles's claim to the throne.
3. Joan was the defendant and the only witness in the trial.
4. She was asked to swear to speak the truth, but refused to answer questions about her revelations from God.
5. Joan had previously told her revelations only to Charles, her King.
6. She was kept in prison, where she was visited by English and Burgundian Lords.
7. Joan wore men's clothing as a defense against assault.
8. The trial was attended by 50-60 churchmen.
9. Joan was questioned about her past, her faith, and her visions.
10. She refused to answer questions about her visions.
11. The court had 12 charges against Joan, which she was forced to answer.
12. Joan initially refused to confess, but eventually gave in to fear and confessed to heresy.
13. After recanting, Joan was kept in captivity, shaved, and forced to wear a dress.
14. Two days later, Joan was found in men's clothes again and was deemed to have relapsed into heresy.
15. As a result, she was burned at the stake in the old marketplace.
16. The executioner ensured that nothing was left of Joan's body that could be venerated.
17. King Charles reportedly swore vengeance for Joan's death but made no public statements.
18. In 1449, 18 years after Joan's execution, Charles entered the English capital of Rouen in victory.
19. In 1453, a retrial was held, which cleared Joan's name due to a change in politics.
20. In 1920, the Catholic Church officially declared Joan a saint.