Scene 4 Summary

In an English army camp, a nobleman and a chaplain bemoan the army's continuing list of defeat at the hands of the French army led by the French girl, Joan. Convinced that Joan is a witch, the two men discuss a plan to have her burned for what they consider supernatural powers. A bishop who contends that Joan is a heretic, not a witch, joins the men. The bishop is more concerned with Joan's individualistic views and the threat that she could pose to the Catholic Church. The fact that Joan has aligned herself as an individual with the French king also poses a threat in that individual citizens could be strengthened at the expense of the feudal system. Ultimately, the nobleman and the chaplain declare their intentions to have Joan executed while the bishop holds out hope for the salvation of her...