CAUCHON, PIERRE, French ecclesiastic, was born near Reims and became bishop of Beauvais in 142o. About ten years later he joined the English faction in France, and his chief title to fame is that he presided over the trial of Joan of Arc at Rouen. Recent researches show that he did so in a spirit of great justice and impartiality, and it must be remembered that he did not condemn the Maid to death but only to imprisonment for life. The death sentence was passed by the civil court. In 1432 he became bishop of Lisieux, and took part in the Council at Basle in 1435. He died in 1442, and was subsequently excommunicated by Calixtus IV.