Rouen

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A Street in Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in northern France. During the Hundred Years' War, it was claimed by both England and France, and was reputedly the place that Jeanne d'Arc was tried and burnt at the stake on 30 May 1431.

History

In 886 King Charles the Fat of West Francia named Sigfred, jarl of the Elgring Clan, as Lord of Rouen to formalize the peace treaty that ended the Siege of Paris. He was succeeded by his niece Toka Sinricsdottir.

On Christmas Eve 1430, Jeanne d'Arc was sent to the city to be tried after John, Duke of Bedford bought her liberty from King Philip III of Burgundy's vassal John II of Luxembourg after Jeanne had been their prisoner for seven months. Pierre Cauchon was responsible for these negotiations and simultaneously was angling for the archbishopric of Rouen.

On 21 February 1431, inside the chapel of Bouvreuil keep, Jeanne's step-cousin Gabriel Laxart and her handmaiden Fleur theorized how best to break Jeanne out of the castle tower after having traveled to the city under the guise of finding employment. While there, they also overheard Jeanne's tribunal, among which as presiding judges were Bishop Pierre Cauchon and Jean d'Estivet, the promoter-general of the diocese of Bauvais. Together, Gabriel and Fleur witnessed a beaten Jeanne being brought out and interrogated. When questioned about her Voices, the tribunal remained unconvinced of her ability, intent on labeling her as a heretic.

On 24 May, at the Abbey of Saint-Ouen, Gabriel eavesdropped upon the priest Guillaume Erard forcing Jeanne into signing a letter of abjuration swearing never again to cut her hair short, wear men's apparel, or take up arms. Although Jeanne could write her name, she instead signed with a cross within a circle, signaling that she meant nothing by it and leaving herself a way out.

On 30 May, Jeanne's execution was scheduled to be held in the old marketplace. Gabriel witnessed who he thought was Jeanne burning at the stake and tried desperately to reach her hoping that Assassins would come to her rescue, but none did. However, it was not Jeanne upon the stake. Instead, Fleur had came into contact with the French Assassins, with whom she devised a plan to save her idol. After an unconscious Jeanne was smuggled away from her cell the day of her execution, Fleur had the Assassins beat her until her face was unrecognizable and took Jeanne's place at the stake. She was then executed by Geoffroy Thérage, who found in her remains the Heart of the Sword of Eden. Believing it to be Jeanne's unburning heart, he threw it into the Seine.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (first mentioned) (mentioned in Database entry only)
• Assassin's Creed: Heresy (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Siege of Paris (first appearance)
• The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)