title: The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc
author:  Nancy Goldstone 
description: "With compelling storytelling, Goldstone colorfully weaves together the tales of these two women [Yolande of Aragon and Joan of Arc]--one rich, one poor; one educated, one illiterate; one worldly, one simple--whose powerful personalities and deep allegiance to France helped shape the country's future." --Publishers Weekly<br /><br />"Goldstone's vivid retelling of Joan's astounding victories and her capture and martyrdom by the English is as gripping as ever . . . [A] knowledgeable and accessible account of a turning point in French history." --Kirkus<br /><br />"[Nancy's] entertaining narrative will intrigue general readers interested in the Middle Ages, Joan of Arc (whose 600th birthday is this year), or biographies of royal figures or women in history." --Library Journal<br /><br />"Goldstone adds an enlightening new chapter to a legendary saga and rescues another unjustly neglected woman from the dust pile of conventional history." --Booklist<br /><br />"The mysterious and secret bond between the worldly and powerful Yolande of Aragon, queen of Sicily, and the transcendent Joan of Arc comes into glorious view in this meticulous, colorful study of their lives. A fascinating historical excursion, bursting with medieval flavor." --Margaret George, author of Elizabeth I
zlib_text: Prologue
   
  When she extended her arms, she could touch all four walls of the cloister cell meant to become
  her prison for life. Damn, but there was more room in the oubliettes where her sire tortured his
  prisoners. Joan of Summerfield stared at damp, dank stones that formed the impenetrable walls from
  which soon there would be no escape.
  Joan wanted to be a bride, but of a lusty warrior, not Christ. Six months ago, the fierce warlord to
  whom she had been betrothed had died in battle. Her brother Will’s mettle had been found wanting by
  the same fearsome knight who had slain her betrothed husband. Later, while Will lay near death in the
  great hall of Summerfield, their sire had promised her to the Church if God would but spare the life of
  his heir. ‘Twas though she’d been naught to him but a gaming piece, expendable in the cause of saving
  her brother’s life.
  A fortnight later Will had still breathed. As though Joan meant no more to him than the pigs and
  sheep he sent each Michelmas as tr