SAINT JOAN scene 6

Joan’s trial for heresy is staged at Rouen. She is found guilty and passed to the secular authorities for punishment. Captain de Stogumber, shocked by what he has witnessed, describes how she has been burnt at the stake.

A great hall in a castle at Rouen, on a fine sunny day, 30 May 1431, is the setting for the ecclesiastical trial. The Earl of Warwick enters, and is soon followed by Bishop Peter Cauchon, accompanied by Brother John Lemaitre, a Dominican monk, and John D’Estivet, Canon of the Chapter of Bayeux. Warwick discusses with Cauchon the imminent trial of the Maid. The bishop explains that Lemaitre, a representative of the Inquisition, is a specialist in combating heresy. D’Estivet will act as prosecutor of the case.

Warwick observes that it is 9 months since Joan was taken prisoner by Burgundian troops. It is 4 months since he purchased her from their custody, before passing her to Cauchon as a suspected heretic. He is eager to have proceedings completed, and the Maid sentenced. The bishop explains that lengthy examination of the prisoner has been taking place.

Lemaitre says he has detected grave heresy. This pleases Warwick, but Cauchon asserts his determination to ensure a fair trial for Joan, insisting that the Church must be just. The Inquisitor speaks of Cauchon’s devotion to fair conduct, and of his determination to save the Maid’s soul, if possible. Warwick’s view is that Joan’s death is ‘a political necessity’ (pg 177), but Cauchon angrily declares that the Church is not subject to such necessity. The Inquisitor states bluntly that Joan will die, because every utterance she makes convicts her.

Warwick departs, so the ecclesiastical court may assemble. Cauchon occupies one of the judicial seats, the Inquisitor takes the other. The assessors enter, led by de Stogumber had Canon de Courcelles. De Stogumber complains that the sixty-four-point indictment against Joan has been reduced without consultation. The Inquisitor replies that 12 charges will suffice. Cauchon agrees that heresy is the real issue, and speaks out against the arch-heresy of Protestantism, which poses a serious threat to the ‘structure of Catholic Christendom’ (pg 124).

Joan is admitted to the court, dressed in black and chained by the ankles. She shows physical signs that imprisonment has affected her adversely, but her vitality is still evident. She tells the bishop that a carp he sent for her meal has made her ill, and she complains that the English are unjust goalers, determined to see her burnt as a witch. She asks why the Church does not oversee her captivity.

Martin Ladvenu, another Dominican monk, brings home to Joan the imminence of her execution through burning at a stake. She is horrified at the prospect, and looks around for help. Impetuously, she concedes that voices have devilishly led her to the verge of death. Ladvenu, believing God has intervened to save her at the 11^th hour, hurriedly drafts a recantation, which he asks her to sign. She discloses that she cannot write her name, as she is illiterate.

De Stogumber in infuriated, sensing that the woman is slipping away from the doom he desires for her. He declares that the English will kill her anyway, and calls Cauchon a traitor. Still, Ladvenu reads the recantation to Joan. She signs, assisted by Ladvenu’s guiding hand, but as a stage direction indicates, she is ‘tormented by the rebellion of the soul against her mind and body’ (pg 136). The Inquisitor declares her free from the threat of excommunication, and Joan thanks him.He then announces that on account of her sins she is condemned to spend the rest of her days ‘in perpetual imprisonment’ (pg 137). Joan is shocked, and , tearing up the signed document, she affirms that her voices were right, and demands that the fire be prepared for her burning. She confronts her accusers with the charge that they follow the devil, while she follows God.

The executioner and his assistants leave to prepare the flames. Joan declares that it is God’s will that she should ‘go through the fire to His bosom’ (pg 138). Cauchon and the Inquisitor pronounce her excommunication, and pass her over to the secular powers, with an admonition to them to show compassion in the mode of execution. Joan is led from the court. The assessors depart, with the exception of Ladvenu, who is appalled at the outcome. The judges ask him to oversee the proper conduct of the execution, but he intends to stand at Joan’s side as sympathizer rather than a persecutor.

Cauchon deplores the manner in which the English are staging the burning. The Inquisitor is more reconciled to the course of events and declares. ‘One gets used to it. Habit is everything. I am accustomed to the fire: it is soon over’ (pg 139). Unexpectedly, he argues that Joan is innocent, in the sense that her ignorance was her downfall.

Warwick enters. The Inquisitor leaves to witness the end of the execution. It is clear that Warwick and Cauchon have disparate views as regards the extent of their authority. The bishop departs. After a short while, Warwick is joined by de Stogumber. He was the most vociferous advocate of burning for the witch, but now he is tormented by what he has witnessed. In the midst of the horror, Joan called out to Christ. She asked for a cross, and was given one, hastily contrived from two sticks. De Stogumber is horrified that some people laughed at her, and he suggests they would have made fun of Christ at His crucifixion.

Ladvenu arrives, carrying a bishop’s cross. He asserts that Joan’s death showed her to be blessed by Christ, and suggests that her physical death was merely the beginning of a new mode of existence. De Stogumber rushes wildly from the room declaring himself a Judas, who should take his own life. Warwick sends Ladvenu to constrain the chaplain. As he exits, the Master Executioner of Rouen appears, and announces proudly that Warwick’s bidding has been done. Joan’s remains have been disposed of in the river, although her heart would not burn. When he tells Warwick that he has heard the last of her, the earl smiles uneasily, recalling Ladvenu’s words to the contrary.