Cauchon, Pierre

Cauchon, Pierre bishop of Beauvais, took an active part in the contest of the parties which divided France in the beginning of the 15th century. In 1429 the inhabitants of Beauvais drove him from his see on account of his vices and tyranny, and he took refuge in England. He made himself infamous by his bigotry and fury towards Jeanne d'Arc, who was taken captive in May, 1430, within the limits of the diocese of Beauvais. Cauchon became her accuser, and addressed himself to the king of England, and finally succeeded in securing her condemnation and death. He died suddenly in 1443. He was excommunicated by Calistus III, and his body was dug up and thrown into the common sewer. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Générale, s.v.