On the 21st of February 1431, the interrogation began in the trial of Joan of Arc for heresy. The trial of Joan of Arc (1412 – 1431) was a politically motivated inquisition orchestrated by the English and their allies during the Hundred Years’ War. Joan, a young peasant girl from Domrémy, had risen to prominence as a military leader, claiming divine guidance in her quest to help Charles VII reclaim the French throne. Her victories at Orléans and Patay were instrumental in turning the tide of the war in favour of the French. However, in 1430, she was captured by the Burgundians, allies of the English, and handed over to their forces. The English, eager to discredit her and weaken French morale, arranged for her trial under the pretense of religious heresy.
The trial, held in Rouen, Normandy, was led by Pierre Cauchon, the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais. It was conducted under the auspices of the Inquisition, but it was heavily biased from the start. Joan faced accusations of heresy, witchcraft, and cross-dressing. These charges were designed to undermine both her spiritual credibility and her role as a divinely guided military leader. She was interrogated extensively, often under duress, in an attempt to force her into self-incrimination. Despite the pressure, Joan displayed remarkable intelligence and resilience, outwitting her interrogators on numerous occasions.
One of the key accusations against Joan was her claim to divine visions. She insisted that she had received guidance from Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret, who instructed her to lead France to victory. The court sought to portray these visions as demonic in origin, yet Joan steadfastly maintained their divine nature. Another central issue was her wearing of male clothing, which she had adopted for practical reasons during her military campaigns. The court argued that this violated Church law, though Joan defended it as necessary for her safety.
The trial was riddled with procedural irregularities. Joan was denied legal counsel, and the proceedings were conducted in Latin, a language she did not fully understand. Furthermore, many of the judges were loyal to the English cause, making impartiality impossible. Despite these injustices, Joan remained steadfast in her testimony, displaying a keen wit that often left her accusers frustrated.
Ultimately, the court found her guilty of heresy, and on the 24th of May, 1431, she was coerced into signing an abjuration document, supposedly renouncing her visions and wearing of male clothing. However, she soon recanted, reaffirming her faith in her divine mission. The judges then declared her a relapsed heretic, which carried a death sentence. On the 30th of May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in the marketplace of Rouen. She was only 19 years old.
In 1456, a posthumous retrial ordered by Pope Callixtus III overturned the verdict, declaring her trial unjust and rehabilitating her reputation. Centuries later, in 1920, Joan was canonised as a saint by the Catholic Church. Today, she remains a symbol of courage, faith, and resistance against oppression.
In my work in progress, the fifth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, Anthony spends some time in Amboise. Joan of Arc passed through Amboise in 1429 on her way to Orleans.