Joan of Arc's only crime was cross-dressing, but she was still sentenced to death. Why?

Joan of Arc has been heralded as the teenage savior of France, rallying troops with her religious battle cries and bravery. Ultimately, she met an untimely death at the hands of the English by being burned at the stake. As common with death by stake burning, many believed it was for heresy and witchcraft. However, her only true crime is cross-dressing.

Joan of Arc, also known as the Maid of Orleans, supported Charles VII in taking France back from English control in the Hundred Years' War. She claimed to have visions from God that instructed her to lead, and she gained prominence when she managed to life the siege of Orleans in just 9 days.

Alas, in 1430, she was captured by the Burgundian faction that was allied with the English. The only crime that the Inquisition tribunal formally charged her with was wearing men's clothing. In prison she wore men's clothes to prevent rape. Her hosen and tunic fastened to one piece making it very difficult to pull her pants off.

25 years after her death, Pope Callixtus III examined the trial and pronounced her innocent. Pope Benedict XV canonized her on May 16, 1920, and she is now one of the most popular saints of the Roman Catholic Church. She was a distinguished leader that was so greatly feared by her enemies that she was put to death for such a stupid charge.

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