Joan of Arc was considered a witch because of her religious visions and her masculine attire, which caused suspicion from the Church and some authorities of the time.
In the Middle Ages, the boundary between faith, superstition, and reality was rather blurred. People firmly believed in the existence of supernatural powers, the devil's influence everywhere in daily life, and the harmful impact of witches. The latter were accused of having made a pact with Satan, casting bad spells, or causing natural disasters. The Church played a key role, fueling popular fears about these supposed servants of the Devil. At the time of Joan of Arc, this atmosphere of suspicion was also intertwined with the political unrest and insecurity caused by the Hundred Years' War, reinforcing the collective fear of diabolical or supernatural influences on the kingdom's fate.
Jeanne was suspected of witchcraft mainly because she claimed to hear divine voices, which she referred to as her "voices." This greatly disturbed the religious authorities, who found it quite suspicious (even downright alarming). She was also accused of wearing male clothing, which was completely contrary to the norms of the time, and this was seen as a clear sign that she was dabbling a bit with the devil. Her accusers emphasized these two aspects heavily: suspicious mystical visions and scandalous, unnatural male attire. She was also accused of predicting future events, which, for the judges, clearly indicated that she was involved in magic or witchcraft. In short, these accusations mainly served to discredit her in the eyes of the people and justify her final condemnation.
The trial of Joan of Arc begins in February 1431 in Rouen. She is judged by a religious court led by Bishop Pierre Cauchon, who is clearly hostile to her cause. For weeks, the judges bombard her with questions intended to prove that she uses supernatural powers of demonic origin. Among the main accusations are the voices and visions she claims to receive, which were associated with the devil at the time, and the fact that she wears men's clothing, which was unthinkable in the Middle Ages and seen as a diabolical manifestation. After multiple grueling interrogations and without a lawyer to defend her, Joan is ultimately convicted of heresy and witchcraft, and then sent to the stake on May 30, 1431.
Behind the accusations against Joan of Arc, there were clearly political and religious interests. At the time, France was divided between two camps: that of the King of France, Charles VII, and that of the King of England, supported by some French, especially the Burgundians. Joan was a real problem for the English: she restored confidence to the French camp, inspired the soldiers, and threatened their conquests in France. By condemning her for witchcraft, they could completely delegitimize her influence and weaken the power of Charles VII.
On the religious side, the Church authorities were concerned about Joan because of her visions and her direct claim to act according to divine will, without going through them. She indirectly challenged the authority of religious leaders, which was rather frowned upon at the time, to put it mildly. Thus, judging and condemning her for heresy and witchcraft allowed the Church to reaffirm its moral and religious authority.
Today, historians see the accusations against Joan of Arc mainly as a political tool to get rid of an inconvenient figure. The concept of witchcraft at that time was often used as an easy pretext to discredit someone. Joan was a significant disturbance; she was a fighting woman in a male-dominated world who clearly claimed to hear divine voices; it’s safe to say she had plenty of reasons to be suspected! Nowadays, researchers talk more about a manipulated trial, oriented to satisfy English and clerical interests of the time, seeking to eliminate her from the scene permanently. In reality, Joan of Arc was gradually rehabilitated just a few decades after her death; even today, she is seen not only as a French national heroine but was also canonized (she officially became a saint) by the Catholic Church in 1920. It’s fair to say that the stories of witchcraft bring a smile today.
Today, Joan of Arc is regarded as a national heroine in France and was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1920, nearly five centuries after her death.
Joan of Arc was never officially condemned for witchcraft; she was found guilty of heresy mainly for claiming to hear voices and receive divine guidance.
Although Jeanne was burned alive, her official rehabilitation by the Catholic Church did not occur until nearly 25 years after her death, during a second nullity trial ordered by Pope Callixtus III in 1456.
Witchcraft was often used as a political accusation in the Middle Ages, allowing for the discrediting or elimination of influential figures, as was the case with Joan of Arc.
Joan of Arc was primarily accused of heresy, apostasy, invoking demons, and using malevolent magical practices. The reason of wearing male clothing was also used repeatedly during the trial.
The accusations against Joan of Arc were closely tied to political issues. By supporting Charles VII in the context of the war against the English and their Burgundian allies, she posed a direct threat to the political interests of her accusers, who primarily sought to weaken their opponent by condemning her for witchcraft.
In the Middle Ages, witches were considered to have made a pact with the devil, capable of casting spells and causing illnesses, deaths, or natural disasters. Popular superstition often associated these women with occult practices or with challenging the order established by the Church.
Today, historians consider Joan of Arc not as a witch but as a French national heroine, primarily a victim of the political and religious issues of her time. Her trial is understood as a judicial manipulation aimed at discrediting her military achievements and the camp of King Charles VII.
Among the acts for which she was reproached were her claim to hear divine voices, her male clothing deemed contrary to the religious morals of the time, as well as her military successes considered suspicious and potentially the result of supernatural assistance.
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