FROM THE TRIAL
Joan left no book. She could not write. What we have is what clerks in Rouen wrote down while they questioned her, and what witnesses later swore they heard at the fire. The popular sentence “I am not afraid; I was born to do this” is a later paraphrase — stirring, but not the transcript. The lines below are.
“If I am not in the state of grace, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.”
Asked — a theological trap — whether she was in a state of grace. A yes could be pride; a no, a confession of sin. She answered without stepping into either.
Third public examination, 24 February 1431
“I do not fear men-at-arms; my way has been made plain before me. If there be men-at-arms, my Lord God will make a way for me to go to my Lord Dauphin.”
On her resolve to reach Chinon. The popular line “I am not afraid; I was born to do this” is a later paraphrase of this testimony, not her recorded words.
Trial records, as given in The Life of Joan of Arc (1909)
“There is a saying among children, that sometimes one is hanged for speaking the truth.”
On the danger of answering her judges honestly.
Third public examination, 24 February 1431
“You say that you are my judge. I do not know if you are. But take good care not to judge me wrongly, because you will put yourself in great danger.”
Spoken to Bishop Pierre Cauchon, who presided at Rouen.
15 March 1431
“Of the love or hatred God has for the English, I know nothing, but I do know that they will all be thrown out of France, except those who die there.”
A political prophecy offered without hatred — and fulfilled, in time.
15 March 1431
“I was thirteen when I had a Voice from God for my help and guidance.”
Her first account, under oath, of the beginning of her mission.
Second public examination, 22 February 1431
“The light comes at the same time as the Voice. I will not tell you all; I have not leave.”
On the manner of her revelations — and the limits of what she would yield to a hostile court.
Third public examination, 24 February 1431
“I would that every one could hear the Voice as I hear it.”
A wish, not a boast.
Third public examination, 24 February 1431
“It is true I wished to escape; and so I wish still. Is not this lawful for all prisoners?”
On her attempts to leave English custody.
First public examination, 21 February 1431
“About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they are one, and we should not complicate the matter.”
Pressed to set the Church Militant against her voices. She would not divide Christ from his Church.
Trial records, Rouen, 1431
AT THE END
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
Eyewitnesses at the Old Market in Rouen reported that she called on the name of Jesus as the fire rose, and asked that a crucifix be held in her sight.
Eyewitness testimony at the 1456 nullification trial