a national military force. joan delivered on her promise. she led the assault that lifted the siege of the city of orleans, a pivotal victory that turned the tide against the english. she then escorted charles against enemy territory setting the stage tore his coronation as king. but the next year she was captured by enemy forces and tried on some 70 charges including witchcraft heresy and dressing like a man. even though king charles owed his crown to her, he did little to try to save joan out of fear of being associated with a witch and a heretic. after a year in captivity and under threat of death joan signed a confession denying that she'd ever received divine guidance. just days later she recanted and defied orders again by donning men's clothing. as punishment at the age of just 19 joan of arc was burned at the stake. but her death only increased her influence. 20 years after she was killed a new trial cleared her name.