Joan of Arc, the trench heroine of Orleans was capitured by the Burgundians at Compiegne and turned over to the English, who tried, convicted, and executed her for alleged witchcraft. She was burned at the stake on 30 May 1431. The following section is a decrip tion of her defense during her trial.

On Wednesday, May 9th of the same year [1431], Joan was brought into the great tower of the castle of Rouen before us the said judges. And [she] was required and admonished to speak the truth on many different points contained in her trial which she had denied or to which she had given false replies, whereas we possessed certain information, proffs, ad vehement presumptions upon them. Many of the points were read and explained to her and she was told that if she did not confess them truthfully...