Why did the English burn Saint Joan of Arc?

Answer 1

They didn't. The Burgundians captured her, the Church tried and condemned her, the English burned her. The basic reason for her condemnation was that she had obeyed her own inner voices rather than the Church.

Clarification:

Technically, it was the British that had Joan of Arc burned at the stake after a fraudulent Church trial for heresy. The British had been badly humiliated and embarrassed by Joan's victories and they wanted revenge. They also felt that the French army would be demoralized by the death of their leader and the British could again take control of the situation.

23 years after her death, Joan was given a second trial and found innocent of all charges that had led to her execution.

Answer 2

Strictly speaking, even in the Dark Ages, Clergyman were not permitted to ( Draw Blood) they could give execution victims the last rites of the church- but did not execute victims. some remnant of this tradition may be found in the present day Chaplain"s corps of the Army and other Services. Chaplains rank as commissioned officers but do not in any case, nor are they given any target practice with, weapons. true, some Military doctors ( especially psychiatrists at POW camps) routinely belt on the old .45 when going on duty, but the Clergymen do not. Chaplains are non-combatants.

Clarification:

Joan had thoroughly embarrassed and humiliated the British army and they wanted revenge. They also wanted Joan out of the picture in hopes that the French army would become disheartened and the British could retake the upper hand in the conflict. They could not prosecute Joan for her military actions so they turned her over to the Church who supported the Brits to prosecute her on charges of heresy and witchcraft. The Church could prove neither charge. However, the bishop in charge discovered an obscure mandate in the Old Testament forbidding women from wearing men's clothing. Joan was required to sign an agreement that she would no longer wear male clothing, even though she could not read. While Joan was in her cell at night British guards stole her women's clothing so she had nothing else to wear except the clothing of a man. Joan also stated that several times men had attempted to rape her while in prison and wearing men's clothing made that difficult for them. When Joan showed up in court the next day wearing men's clothing, she was charged with violating the agreement, condemned of heresy and ordered to be burned at the stake.

Answer 3

The British falsely accused Joan of being a heretic and witch. In reality, they wanted revenge as Joan had embarrassed and humiliated the British by her victories. They also hoped to remove her as a French military leader to dishearten her soldiers and, possibly, regain territories they had lost.

Answer 4

Joan was not stoned to death. She was burned at the stake.