Legendary French hero Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was captured in 1430 by Burgundian troops, allies of the English. She was executed a year later in 1431. What for?

Answer: Cross dressing. Before her trial by a French ecclesiastical court in May 1451, she had appeared dressed in men’s clothes. The judge, the Bishop of Beauvais Pierre Cauchin, promptly sentenced her to death.

Source: 50 Military Leaders Who Changed the World by William Weir

More at: History

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