02Knights Templar - Julian Emperor

SAINTS
to lift the English siege of the city of Orleans, Joan asked that
she might join them and requested that she be provided with
arms. Her request was granted and it is said that she rode with
the French troops wearing a white suit of armour. Although
the French war leaders were reluctant to attack the enemy
with any vigour, Joan insisted that they should and, within
nine days, the siege was ended. It was an important event in
lifting French morale and more victories followed.
In July 1429, Charles VII was crowned at Reims and Joan
was present, bearing her standard. However, she was later
captured at Compiègne by Burgundians who were fighting
with the English. She was left in their hands by CharlesVII and
was tried as a heretic and a witch. Through intimidation and
an unfair trial, she was found guilty and was burnt at the stake
in Rouen on 30 May 1431. She was aged only nineteen when
she died. In 1456, Pope Callistus III re-investigated her case
and declared that she was innocent. Joan was later beatified by
Pope Pius X and on 16 May 1920 she was officially canonised
by Pope Benedict XV. She is a saint who has appealed to a variety
of people from feminists to writers and artists and she is
a symbol of patriotism and national courage in France.
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