THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL WORLD LEADERS OF ALL TIME

7 The 100 Most Influential World Leaders of All Time 7

surrounded by a ring of English strongholds. On the
morning of May 6, Joan and her troops crossed to the
south bank of the river and advanced toward a fort. The
English immediately evacuated in order to defend a
stronger position nearby, but Joan attacked the fort and
took it by storm. Very early on May 7 the French advanced
against the fort of Les Tourelles and attacked until the
English capitulated, handing Joan and the troops an
impressive victory.
The French and English armies again came face to face
at Patay on June 18, 1429. Joan promised success to the
French, and indeed the English army was defeated along
with its reputation for invincibility. On July 16 Joan and
the royal army reached Reims, which opened its gates. The
next day, in Joan’s presence, the Dauphin was crowned
king as Charles VII.
In September 1429, Joan launched an unsuccessful
attack on Paris.Wounded in the fighting, she continued to
encourage the soldiers until they finally had to abandon
the attack. The next day Joan sought to renew the assault,
but they were ordered by Charles’s council to retreat.
On May 23, 1430, Joan was captured by the Burgundians
and later sold to the English. Joan was brought to trial
before a church court. The theologists at the University
of Paris, who acted as arbiter in matters concerning the
faith—and in collaboration with the English—insisted
that she be tried as a heretic and for witchcraft.
The trial began in February 1431 with the reading of 70
charges that had been drawn up against Joan. These were
based mainly on the contention that her whole attitude
and behaviour showed blasphemous presumption, includ-
ing her claims to hear voices. Perhaps the most serious
charge was of preferring what she believed to be the direct
commands of God to those of the church. On May 23 Joan
was informed that she was condemned to be burned to