After years of constant war between the Kingdoms of France and England, King Charles the VI of France is declared mentally insane. His wife,queen Isabeau of Baviere, signed the shameful treaty of Troyes which pretty much gave all of nothern France to the English. The city of Orleans was the limit of what was left of the French Kingdom. The dauphin (prince)Charles was waiting for a miracle in order to reconquer his father's kingdom. He was supported by Yolande of Aragon, his mother in law(supremely played by Faye Dunaway) who pretty much managed to keep what was left of France together.