Was Joan's cherry popped?

Last class we briefly talked about Joan’s virginity and how Religious authorities saw virginity as a way to salvation. Her virginity played a huge role in her life in several occasions for example, according to the Retrials, when Joan arrives at Chinon, she was place under an examination to which she was put at Poitiers (Pernoud, 105). She was examined by Charles’s trusted clerics and theologians (105). The examination must have been intense since the questionings took place for three weeks (106). During her examination, she was tested for her virginity. This test was performed by Queen Yolanda of Sicily, Charles VII’s mother-in-law, assisted by some matrons and ladies of her train; examined Joan’s private to see if she was a virgin (106). We are assuming that she was indeed a virgin since she was able to surpass the examination and met with Charles VII.

This examination was important to the authorities because during this time period, virginity was seen as the highest salvation and way into heaven. If Joan was “proven” to not be a virgin, her mission may have been impossible. According to the Retrials,” Joan’s virginity was something like a confirmation of the truth of her mission; if she declared herself to be God’s instrument she must be His entirely” (107). Not only does her virginity symbolize her salvation, but it symbolizes the importance of persuading others to believe in her mission.And it gave her the upperhand to convince others she was child of God or in this case, Christ's bride. 

Sources:

Pernoud, Régine. The Retrial of Joan of Arc: The Evidence for Her Vindication. San Francisco: Ignatius, 2007. Print.

**Since I was not able to find any good images on the Middle Ages Virginity test so instead I am posting a Cherry to symbolize her innocence and purity.