Despite pledging herself to a life of chastity, obedience and devoutness in a 14th century convent, it wasn’t long before Joan of Leeds had a change of heart. Allegedly besieged by “the way of carnal lust”, she decided to leave the convent for a more earthly life in a town 64 kilometers away. With the help of accomplices, she faked an illness, crafted a fake dummy and tricked her fellow sisters into burying it, using the distraction to escape the convent for Beverly. The records are incomplete, Jones told the National Post, leaving major gaps in the story that may never be filled. The medieval scribes do not say whether Joan was ever returned to the convent or not.

Source: National Post February 13, 2019 13:51 UTC