50 JOAN OF ARC.

 

led an unsuccessful assault against the
English, and refusing to retreat, was capt-
ured. Charles made no attempt to ransom
her, as he evidently began to doubt her
divine mission, as he found her unwilling
to obey orders. She was tried and con-
victed of heresy and sorcery, but was par-
doned at the scaffold on May 24th, 1431.
Presisting in wearing male garments, she
was judged to have relapsed and was sent-
enced to death and burned at the stake

May 81st, 1431.

 

Her greatness was due not to her mili-
tary achievements, but to the purity, truth
and ardor of her character, which made her
a piteous victim to the superstitions of the
age in which she lived. Recently she has
been canonized and is now looked upon as
one of the most honored saints of France.
A monument erected to her memory stands
in one of the most prominent squares of
Paris and is daily decked with wreaths

and flowers by her many enthusiastic ad-

mirers.

 

JOAN OF ARC, PANTHEON, PARIS.