Joan of Arc Pictures

Joan of Arc, one of the patron saints of France, was canonized in 1920. Captured by the Burgundians who were opposing the Dauphin's claim on the French throne, Joan was turned over to the English who charged her with heresy and sorcery. Joan refused to admit that the charges against her were true, but signed a general admission of fault, and promised to wear female dress. When she recanted, she was considered a relapsed heretic. Though the Church court technically should not have been able to pass a sentence of death, it did, and she was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431.