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The story of Joan of Arc has attained mythological status, but how much do we really know about the celebrated French heroine?

In a free public talk at The University of Western Australia, visiting professor Craig Taylor, scholar of Medieval History at the University of York will discuss the two great trials of Joan of Arc.

The first of Joan's trials was in Rouen in 1431, while in the hands of her enemies, and the second between 1455 and 1456, when a posthumous investigation nullified the verdict of the original trial.

"Modern scholars have offered increasingly sophisticated analyses of the records of Joan's public and private interrogations at Rouen in 1431 and under such careful scrutiny, these sources raise fascinating questions regarding the ‘truthfulness' of medieval records and of Joan's story, as well as different kinds of insights into wider questions of religion and gender in late medieval society." notes Dr Taylor.

According to Dr Taylor, the records of Joan's second trial have not received as careful attention, in large part because they remain pivotal to undermining the credibility of the original heresy trial.

In this lecture, Dr Taylor will therefore turn the spotlight onto the second trial, suggesting new ways in which scholars might approach these familiar records.

Dr Taylor is in Perth visiting UWA's Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies as an Institute of Advanced Studies 2014 Short Stay Visiting Fellow .

WHEN:                 6pm, 26 June 2014

WHERE: Webb Lecture Theatre , Geography Building (ground floor), UWA

COST:                 Free, but RSVP required. Register a seat .

Media references

Audrey Barton (UWA Institute of Advanced Studies)  (+61 8)  6488 4797

Professor Andrew Lynch (Director, Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies) (+61 8)  6488 2185