Joan of Arc

The most famous cross dresser of all time may just be none other than Joan of Arc.

Joan of Arc was a poor French girl that ultimately led the Dauphin forces to victory upon victory during the Hundred Years’ War in France. She confessed that the reason for her actions and subsequent success was because she herself was being led by God through her visions of him. She was ultimately captured by Burgundians and sold off the English and tried in an English church court in Rouen, France in 1431. Women were not allowed to participate in the army during this time. She, therefore, put on a man’s armor to impersonate a man and join the army. At the very beginning of the trial, Joan lets Bishop Cauchon, the man that is conducting the court session, that she refuses to swear to tell the truth about the Godly visions that she has received for she has only told Charles the King and would rather die than reveal them. She did reveal that she began to hear the voice of God when she was a mere thirteen years old. Joan also later confessed that she never had revelations from a divine being.

Joan was following here true belief that she was hearing the voice of God to lead the men to victory. She knew this was impossible as a girl, but as a man she would be able to succeed in her mission. She donned male’s clothing and fought victoriously.

Joan recanted her denial of hearing God’s voice. She was sentenced to execution for being a heretic. In one final act of defiance, Joan of Arc put men’s clothing on one more time and walked to the Old Market Place found in Rouen and, as her trial documents state, she heard everyone proclaim her relapse into heresy, in addition to the proclamation of her excommunication. She was then burned at the stake. A hero dead.

By Marcos Herrera

University of Texas at El Paso