After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
Episode: Final Days of Joan of Arc: Trial & Execution
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Hosts: Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling
Introduction
In this gripping episode of After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal, historians Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling delve deep into the tumultuous final days of Joan of Arc. Stripping away centuries of myth and agenda-driven narratives, the hosts aim to uncover the raw and often misunderstood truth behind Joan's trial and execution.
Joan of Arc's Rise and the Siege of Orleans ([01:55] - [05:46])
Maddy Pelling sets the stage by recounting Joan of Arc's improbable journey from a peasant girl in Domremy to the commander of the French army during the Siege of Orleans. At just 17, Joan's divine visions and unwavering faith convinced King Charles VII to entrust her with a critical mission during a pivotal moment in the Hundred Years' War.
Maddy Pelling: "A teenage girl dressed in men's armour, clutching victory from the jaws of defeat at the siege of Orleans. But her good fortune would not hold Joan in the eyes of her enemies..."
However, amidst triumph, Joan's meteoric rise also sowed the seeds of jealousy and distrust among powerful factions, setting the stage for her eventual betrayal.
Political Intrigue and Betrayal ([05:46] - [11:04])
Anthony Delaney and Maddy explore the intricate political landscape that led to Joan's downfall. Despite her successes, Charles VII's advisors grew wary of her influence, perceiving her as a threat to their power dynamics.
Anthony Delaney: "A lot of Charles's advisors see that Joan has become incredibly powerful, that she has become close to the King. This is a really, you know, dangerous position to allow anybody to occupy, let alone a woman."
By September 1429, tensions mount as Joan's ambitions clash with the cautious strategies of the French court, culminating in her capture by the Burgundians and subsequent sale to the English.
Capture and Trial in Rouen ([14:13] - [25:16])
The episode transitions to the grim setting of Rouen's ecclesiastical court, where Joan stands trial under the leadership of Bishop Pierre Couchon. The charges against her—witchcraft, heresy, and cross-dressing—are less about justice and more about political maneuvering to discredit Charles VII.
Maddy Pelling: "It's a classic thing, isn't it, of undermining this woman and her power... to strip women of their power."
Despite brutal interrogations, Joan remains steadfast, showcasing a resilience that borders on the legendary. Her final act of defiance comes when she attempts to withdraw her coerced confession, choosing integrity over survival.
Maddy Pelling: "She withdraws her confession and she says that she would rather die than deny the truth."
This moment underscores the profound strength of character that has immortalized Joan in history, even as the forces against her tighten their grip.
Execution and Aftermath ([25:16] - [38:24])
On a fateful morning in May 1431, Joan is executed by burning in Rouen's marketplace. The dramatic portrayal of her martyrdom—complete with symbolic imagery like her unburned heart—serves to elevate her legacy beyond her earthly demise.
Maddy Pelling: "She is wearing white with a red underskirt, but very much dressed as a woman... she has a sense of biblical resignation."
Posthumously, Joan undergoes a retrial that declares her innocent 25 years later, paving the way for her canonization in 1920. Anthony and Maddy reflect on the layers of mythologizing that have obscured the real Joan, transforming her into an enduring icon of female empowerment and resistance.
Anthony Delaney: "We know so little about the woman herself actually only what people want us to know and only what people are powerful enough to make us try to believe about her."
Depictions and Legacy ([31:24] - [36:43])
The hosts examine various depictions of Joan of Arc across history, highlighting how her image has been adapted to fit the cultural and political needs of different eras. From a 1429 manuscript illustration to Romantic and Victorian portrayals, and finally to modern feminist icons, Joan's image has been continually reshaped.
Maddy Pelling: "Joan has become more a figure for feminism... a shorthand for female empowerment and resistance in some way."
This ongoing reinterpretation underscores the complex legacy of Joan of Arc, who remains a symbol of strength, faith, and resilience centuries after her death.
Conclusion
Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling conclude the episode with a poignant reflection on the elusive truth of Joan of Arc's life. Despite exhaustive research, the real Joan remains shrouded in layers of myth and manipulation, leaving historians to piece together fragments of a life both extraordinary and tragically cut short.
Anthony Delaney: "That image from 1429... it's as close as we might be able to get to her."
The episode closes by acknowledging the enduring fascination with Joan of Arc and the challenges of separating historical fact from enduring legend.
Notable Quotes
- Maddy Pelling ([01:55]): "From growing up as a peasant in the rural setting of Domremy to convincing the king of her divine powers with such certainty..."
- Anthony Delaney ([05:46]): "A lot of Charles's advisors see that Joan has become incredibly powerful... she is a threat."
- Maddy Pelling ([14:13]): "It's a classic thing... to strip women of their power."
- Anthony Delaney ([26:30]): "We know so little about the woman herself... only what people want us to know."
- Maddy Pelling ([34:10]): "Joan has become more a figure for feminism... a shorthand for female empowerment and resistance."
Further Engagement
Listeners are encouraged to follow Anthony and Maddy on Instagram (@AntoineDelaney and @MaddyPelling) for additional content and updates. Suggestions for future episodes can be emailed to us@afterdarkistoryhit.com.