Meanwhile the University of Paris were deliberating upon their answer
to the twelve articles. This body met on the 29th of April, within the
convent of Saint Bernard. The ancient building, in which the
University held many notable conclaves when even Popes were judged by
the doctors of Paris, still exists, but it has been transformed into
an oil warehouse. John de Troyes, senior of the Faculty of Theology,
was the spokesman, and read the decisions of the faculty on each
of the twelve articles. It is unnecessary to go through the long
verbiage of abuse and blasphemy with which these theologians thought
it their duty to bespatter Joan of Arc.
On every head these reverend seigneurs condemned her. After De Troyes
had finished his reading of the opinions and the judgment, Guerold de
Boissel read the deliberations of the Faculty of Decrees upon the six
points of accusation. 'If this woman,' so ran the rede, 'was in her
right mind when she made affirmation of the propositions contained in
the twelve articles, one may say in the manner of counsel and of
doctrine, and to speak charitably, first, that she is schismatic in
separating herself from obedience to the Church; secondly, that she is
out of the pale of the law in contradicting the article "_Unam Sanctam
Ecclesiam Catholicam_"; thirdly, apostate, for having cut short her
hair, which was given her by God to hide her head with, and also in
having abandoned the dress of a woman for that of a man; fourthly,
vicious and a soothsayer, for saying, without showing miracles, that
she is sent by God, as was Moses and John the Baptist; fifthly, rebel
to the faith, by remaining under the anathema framed by the canons of
the Church, and by not receiving the Sacraments of the Church at the
season set apart by the Church, in order not to have to cease wearing
the dress of a man; and, sixthly, blasphemous in saying that she
knows she will be received into Paradise. Therefore, if after being
charitably warned she refuses to re-enter the Catholic faith, and
thereby give satisfaction, she shall be given over to the secular
judges, and meet with the punishment due to her crimes.'
And the University of Paris in solemn conclave ratified the above
judgment. The University also sent Cauchon a letter of commendation,
in which he was held up to the general admiration as a faithful
pastor, zealous in good works, on whom the University trusted that the
Almighty would, on the day of His manifestation, bestow an
imperishable crown of glory.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account