This week in Christian history: Joan of Arc interrogated, Episcopal Church leader takes power
Joan of Arc interrogation begins – Feb. 21, 1431
This week marks the anniversary of when Saint Joan of Arc, the famous French teenaged female soldier, was first interrogated by Catholic Church officials over alleged heresy for claiming to have visions.
Joan had claimed that, as a teenager, she had heard the voices of saints telling her to liberate France from English control and have French King Charles VII rule the nation instead.
After scoring a series of victories against English forces, Joan was captured by the Burgundians and later sold to her enemies, who sought to have her recant her claims of divine guidance.
“The interrogations went on, day after day. Or rather, the same interrogation was repeated again and again. Sometimes she faced 60 or more men, all of great learning: churchmen, scholars, doctors of law,” wrote Mathew Lyons of History Today.
“She recanted her visions on May 24. But then she relapsed; she had sold her soul to save her life, the voices said. She was burned alive six days later. Be bold, her voices always told her. And she was.”
