Politically astute, ambitious, and beautiful, Yolande of Aragon, queen
of Sicily, was one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages. Caught
in the complex dynastic battle of the Hundred Years War, Yolande
championed the dauphin's cause against the forces of England and
Burgundy, drawing on her savvy, her statecraft, and her intimate network
of spies. Even when the dauphin's own mother betrayed him, Yolande
fought to save her son-in-law and his claim to the throne. But the enemy
seemed invincible. Just as French hopes dimmed, an astonishingly
courageous young woman named Joan of Arc arrived from the farthest
recesses of the kingdom, claiming that she carried a divine message -- a
message that would change the course of history and ultimately lead to
the coronation of Charles VII and the triumph of France. Now, on the six
hundredth anniversary of the birth of Joan of Arc, this beautifully
written book explores the relationship between these two remarkable
women. With irresistibly rich historic detail and stunning accounts of
political intrigue, The Maid and the Queen deepens our understanding of
this dramatic period in history. How did an illiterate peasant girl gain
access to the future king of France, earn his trust, and eventually lead
his forces into battle? Was it only the hand of God that moved Joan of
Arc -- or was it also Yolande of Aragon?
