As part of their study of medieval history, Middle School students reimagined the 1431 trial of Joan of Arc with Seniors and parents in the audience acting as the jury. The jury listened to testimony from witnesses who claimed Joan was a heretic and a traitor, and from witnesses who believed Joan was chosen by God to lead the French army to victory over the English and to see the prince, Charles, crowned king. In the fifteenth century, people accused of crimes had to defend themselves, so the real Joan had to come up with clever answers to questions designed to trick her into revealing she was truly an advocate of heretical ideas. In the reimagined trial, Joan had two middle school lawyers defending her from the prosecution. After deliberation, the 2026 jury found her innocent of both charges. The real Joan of Arc did not fare so well. Many thanks to Coe Sweet Photography for these images. (Pro tip: Click on the photos to see them full scale and to read the captions.)
Lawyers for the Prosecution
Joan of Arc and the lawyers for the Defense
Heather sets the scene in 1431.
Nicolas Loiseleur, a priest who heard Joan’s confession
Jean de Luxembourg, a knight and Joan’s prison guard
Attorney for the Prosecution
Catherine de la Rochelle, a French mystic and preacher
John, Duke of Bedford, regent of England
Attorney for the Defense
Isabeau, wife of Charles VI, mother of Charles VII
Joan of Arc listens to the testimony.
Philip, Duke of Burgundy, leader of the Burgundians, support of the English king
Attorney for the Defense
Isabelle Romée and Jacques D’arc, Joan’s mother and father
Robert de Baudricourt, regional governor
Jean de Metz, knight who helped Joan
Attorney for the Prosecution
Charles VII, son of the French king
Archbishop of Reims, bishop who questioned Joan
Jean d’Orleans, a count who fought with Joan
Joan of Arc
The Honorable Katrien Vance
The jury of Senior students and parents decides Joan’s fate.