Joan, the savior of her country, who was loved by all her country men, and who was worshiped by some, was burned at the stake. The head judge had finally won the battle. The day before her death he had laughed because he had beaten her, a poor peasant girl.
Her story reminds me of Jesus, who came to earth as a lowly carpenter's son and was loved by all until he died a cruel death with no one to pity him except His closest followers.
One man who had betrayed Joan asked for her forgiveness when she was on her way to be killed and she gave it. She was then chained to the stake and was heard praying while the fire burnt around her. As the flames billowed about her, blocking her from sight, she died.
When her father heard of her death he died of grief. Her mother lived for a while after her martyrdom and was even at the place where the pope took Joan's case and said that she was not guilty.
Heartbreaking. :( It gives me a lump in my throat just reading this.
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