I have done a fair amount of research on the Maid of Orleans. One of the most interesting authors to write about her was Mark Twain. But, I do not consider myself an expert.

As far as religion goes, In my mind it was used as it always has been, a tool to control the masses. The real reason for Joan's downfall, was that she as a woman, beat the best men in the English Army. Great Military Commanders always must defend their honor or legacy. War in the 14th Century was probably the most manly thing one could do, and to lose to a woman, and one who was barely a woman at 18 years of age, was a great embarrassment and humiliation both in the so called male "Locker Room" and back home in England.

The French allowed her to be held captive by the English, a political compromise. The English had a difficult time with what crime to charge her with. It was not politically correct to charge her of being the Commander of the French Army who beat the English, that would be admitting she as a woman was better at the man's game than the men!

Nor could they condemn her for listening to voices from God. The Bible is full of both males and females who acted upon voices from God.

So over the months of imprisonment the English collaborated with the Church on the crime of wearing male clothing. A rather dubious charge at best, it sort of fails the common sense test and the logic is not very logical. But in the time of the Inquisition, many were punished and executed for much less.

The English still had designs on defeating France and installing their own choice on the throne. So allowing a person such as Joan to exist was a threat to future conquests. In the end, the English military used the Roman Catholic Church to get rid of this woman.

Just like the notorious gangster Al Capone, a dubious charge allowed prosecutors to put him in prison. This is what I like about "real history," it is never so cut and clear and without knowing the politics and following the money, you will never really understand the story!