On May 30, 1431, Jeanne d’Arc (1412-1431) burned at the stake as a heretic. 
Joan of Arc, Maid of Orléans, from  Domrémy, in Lorraine, France

500th Anniversary of Relief of Orléans
Released by France March 11, 1929
Designer:  Gabriel-Antoine Barlangue
Engraver: Abel Mignon

Issued to celebrate the end of the siege of Orléans May 4 and May 7, 1429. Joan led attacks on the English encampments, and after a series of battles, managed to drive the English away from the town of Orléans.  Within a year of this victory, Joan was captured and handed over to English forces, for a price of 10,000 francs.

Jeanne d’Arc (1412-1431)
From the Famous People series
Issued by France on October 28, 1946
Designer Albert Decaris

King Charles VII of France did nothing to help the Maid of Orléans, instead ignored her plight. The English gave Joan over to Church official who tried her on 70 charges of witchcraft, heresy and dressing like a man. Her trial was held between February 21 and March 24, 1431, with Joan refusing to confess or give an inch to her accusers initially. On May 24, Joan signed a confession that would send her to prison for life, rather than execution.  Within a few days, Joan recanted her confession. Furious Church officials condemned her to death on May 29, 1431. 

Early the next morning, a crowd of 10,000 gathered at the Rouen marketplace to watch as Joan was tied to a stake and set on fire. She continued to pray as the flames lapped up closer to her, until overcome with smoke. When the fire went out, a Cardinal from the trial ordered Joan’s body be cremated and her ashes tossed into the Seine.