The Trial of Joan of Arc
The English wanted to prove that the only way Joan
defeated them was because she was a witch. She was put on trial for witchcraft
and heresy—they wanted to disprove that the voices she heard were holy. February 21
found Joan under interrogation by the Inquisition and she remained so for many
months. Despite the long time spent in prison, Joan remained solid in her
defense. She held firm to her claim that the visions she saw were sent to her
by God, the voices she continued to hear were holy, and her God-appointed task was sacred.
"Are you in the state of grace?" -her interrogators
"If I am, may God keep me in it. If I am not, may He soon bring me to it." -Joan
"Are you in the state of grace?" -her interrogators
"If I am, may God keep me in it. If I am not, may He soon bring me to it." -Joan
Finally, Joan was convinced—at the alternative of being burnt at the stake—to deny her voices and don women’s clothing. She had been assured that once she submitted, she’d be allowed into the church and be permitted to confession, yet afterwards she was never allowed from her prison. A short three days later, she was back in men’s attire, supposedly because she was threatened with rape or because she recanted of defying her God-sent voices. By this action, she condemned herself to death.
She was found guilty of relapsed heresy and on May 30, 1431, was brought to the marketplace of Rouen and burnt at the stake. Even when she was surrounded by the flames, she maintained that she was innocent and that the responsibility she was charged with was holy.
She was found guilty of relapsed heresy and on May 30, 1431, was brought to the marketplace of Rouen and burnt at the stake. Even when she was surrounded by the flames, she maintained that she was innocent and that the responsibility she was charged with was holy.
She gave her life to carry out her sacred duty.
"I would rather die than do something which I know to be a sin, or to be against God's will."
-Joan of Arc
"Joan of Arc." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2013. 29 December 2013. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/joanofarc360766.html>.