Retrial and Nullification of Joan of Arc’s Conviction

On July 4, 1456, a significant judicial decision was rendered regarding one of history’s most iconic figures, Joan of Arc. This judgment nullified her previous conviction for heresy, which occurred 25 years earlier in 1431. This posthumous exoneration followed a rigorous investigation initiated by Joan’s family and ordered by Pope Calixtus III.

Background

Joan of Arc, a young peasant woman, became a central figure in the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. She claimed to have received divine guidance, which led her to support Charles VII in his campaign to reclaim the French throne. Captured by the Burgundians and handed over to English allies, Joan was tried by an ecclesiastical court, accused of heresy, and executed by burning at the stake in 1431 at the age of 19.

Campaign for Rehabilitation

Years after Joan’s execution, her family, notably her mother Isabelle Romée, insisted on restoring her honor and urged for a reinvestigation into her trial. The political climate had shifted by the mid-15th century, with Charles VII now firmly established as king. Given Joan’s role in aiding his ascent, her trial and its legitimacy were questioned, particularly as it was conducted under English occupation.

The Retrial Process

Pope Calixtus III authorized an inquiry, assigning clerics to carefully review the original trial’s proceedings. This commission was composed of theologians who examined testimonials and investigated the conditions and motivations behind Joan’s conviction. They scrutinized the procedural irregularities and biases inherent in the 1431 trial presided over by Bishop Pierre Cauchon.

Verdict and Significance

On July 4, 1456, the commission declared that Joan’s original trial was unjust and had been conducted in a manner contrary to ecclesiastical law. Consequently, they nullified the conviction entirely, describing the charges as fraudulent and affirming Joan’s innocence.

The vindication of Joan of Arc’s legacy not only altered her historical perception but also reinforced her status as a martyr and a symbol of French unity and resilience. The verdict laid the groundwork for her eventual canonization, granting her sainthood by the Catholic Church in 1920. This decision remains a profound moment in history, illustrating the shifting dynamics of power, memory, and justice during the late Middle Ages.