Heresy was a capital crime only for a repeat offense, therefore a repeat offense of ‘cross-dressing’ was now arranged by the court, according to the eyewitnesses. Joan of Arc agreed to wear feminine clothing when she abjured, which created a problem.

According to the later descriptions of some of the tribunal members, she had previously been wearing male clothing in prison because it gave her the ability to fasten her hosen, boots and tunic together into one piece, which deterred rape by making it difficult to pull her hosen off.

Her resumption of male military clothing was labeled a relapse into heresy for ‘cross-dressing’, although this would later be disputed by the inquisitor who presided over the appeals court that examined the case after the war.

She had been justified in disguising herself as a pageboy during her journey through enemy territory, and she was justified in wearing armor during battle and protective clothing in camp and then in prison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Q6FVhqLY0

Dauphin Charles gave the 17-year-old Joan of Arc armor and a horse and allowed her to accompany the army to Orléans, the site of an English siege.

In a series of battles between May 4 and May 7, 1429, the French troops took control of the English fortifications. Joan was wounded, but later returned to the front to encourage a final assault.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JipRtMDC9Kc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeUHJ3_D6eA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35lVnB-F-js

After the victory at Orléans, she kept encouraging him to hurry to Reims to be crowned king, but he and his advisors were more cautious.

However, Charles and his procession finally entered Reims, and he was crowned Charles VII on July 18, 1429. Joan was at his side, occupying a visible place at the ceremonies.

In the spring of 1430, King Charles VII ordered Joan of Arc to Compiègne to confront the Burgundian assault. During the battle, she was thrown off her horse and left outside the town’s gates.

The Burgundians took her captive and held her for several months, negotiating with the English, who saw her as a valuable propaganda prize. Finally, the Burgundians exchanged Joan for 10,000 francs.

On May 29, 1431, the tribunal announced Joan of Arc was guilty of heresy. On the morning of May 30, she was taken to the marketplace in Rouen and burned at the stake, before an estimated crowd of 10,000 people.

She was 19 nineteen years old. One legend surrounding the event tells of how her heart survived the fire unaffected. Her ashes were gathered and scattered in the Seine.