Trial of Joan of Arc Begins in Rouen
In the midst of the Hundred Years' War, English forces and their Burgundian allies held the city of Rouen in northern France after capturing the young peasant visionary who had rallied French troops. Joan of Arc, known as the Maid of Orléans, faced an ecclesiastical court convened by Bishop Pierre Cauchon on charges including heresy, witchcraft, and cross-dressing. The proceedings, which began publicly on January 9, involved dozens of sessions over several weeks where Joan defended her divine mission and visions. She was ultimately convicted, though she briefly recanted before reaffirming her stance, leading to her execution by burning at the stake in May. The trial reflected intense political and religious tensions between England, France, and the Church during the prolonged conflict.
Why it matters: The trial highlighted the intersection of warfare, gender norms, and religious authority in medieval Europe, with Joan's case becoming a symbol of resistance and later national identity in France. Her rehabilitation in 1456 and canonization in 1920 underscored evolving views on her role in ending English dominance in parts of France and inspiring later feminist and nationalist narratives.