The maid and the queen : the secret history of Joan of Arc and Yolande of Aragon

The Maid and the Queen is a very well told popular history of Joan of Arc and the queen behind her, Yolande of Aragon. Nancy Goldstone brings these two women beautifully to life and places them within the context of the Hundred Years War. Goldstone delves into the early lives of both women and

demonstrates how they grew into the characters that appeared at the French court of Charles VII.

It is a shame that Yolande of Aragon has apparently been glossed over by historians. Her intrigues behind the scenes at court and away from court are fascinating. I was a bit more dubious of the role played by The Romance of Melusine and felt that Goldstone may have argued her position more strongly on that point.

Nonetheless, a great read. I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for an introduction to Joan of Arc's story and to the history of the final years of the Hundred Years War.

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LibraryThing member MissRead13

It's completely obvious Goldstone is a genius when it comes to telling tales of predominant historic figures, and this book is no exception. She captures the essence of Joan of Arc and Yolande of Aragon to a tee. The author's work is flawless, and this well-written biography almost teaches us

readers reminiscent to a textbook explaining who and why they are significant hundreds of years later. It's tough enough to highlight one heroine, but the addition of a second in this book is just an extra sweet bonus of knowledge and talent that adds to history buffs' must-read list. It's paced perfectly so we don't get confused with the overload of information, and the several illustrations throughout aid our creative thought and eases us through the enigmatic world which we have never explored previously. Many may not know the importance or the impact Joan of Arc has bestowed upon the world, but whether it was a curse or a blessing in disguise, her story is told beautifully and many will agree, unforgettable.

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LibraryThing member gdemange

This is a really great book. And why not? With characters such as Philip the Bold, John the Fearless, The Mad King (Charles VI), and The Bastard of Orleans, not to mention Henry V, Henry VI and the Spider King, it would be a shame to mess up the potential of these participants in a story. These and

many more bring intrigue and excitement into the story. Possible confusion is avoided by referring to the genealogy chart provided toward the end of the book. Furthermore the book is structured in three parts, the part you probably don’t know about, the part you do know about and the last part that you also probably don’t know much about. More to the point, it addresses the lead in to the Joan of Arc story, her life, and lastly what happened as a result of Joan of Arc’s life and death. If you enjoy stories about strong women, you are sure to enjoy the story of Yolande of Aragon, who with Joan, is one of the two women alluded to in the title of the book. This is a very enjoyable book that will add to the knowledge you may or may not have of 1300 and 1400 French history.

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LibraryThing member Beamis12

Amazing facts about two women who played such a prominent part in history yet could not have been more raised more differently. Yolande, who becomes the Queen of Sicily, married for 17 years had been educated as men were at that time. Joan had no education at all. Yolande lived a privileged wealthy

life, Joan was from an impoverished background yet these two women come together to affect history. Book is well written, interesting and very well researched. Fascinating to read about the madness of Charles 6th and the background into the political machinations at the time as England and France fought for what each was thought they were owed. Good book for people who are interested in Joan of Arc.

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LibraryThing member allisonmacias

Nancy Goldstone tells the whole story of Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years War. Rich with details, the reader is given extreme insight into the fight for France's Crown. Going back years before Joan takes up the fight, the book steeps readers in French dynastic relationships and court life,

especially related to the Armagnac and Burgundian Parties. Enter Yolande of Aragon, daughter of a king, wife of another. As mother-in-law to the current and disinherited Dauphin, it is in Yolande's best interest to see Charles crowned. Using her political astuteness, her spies and money, Yolande works to elevate Charles, who sees her as his mother. When the fight for France is at it's bleakest, a girl emerges from Yolande's territories, answering the Dauphin's prayers. A maid with visions telling of France's victory and Charles' crowning. Joan encourages not only France's people, but Charles himself. Joan's victories save France, but doom herself.

This book wonderfully explains the two women with one goal to save France. I loved how Goldstone's unbiased attitude allows the reader to determine their own views of these two powerful woman, especially Joan. Goldstone also breaks down the complex relationships and "mere coincidences" making the years leading to Joan's arrival easy to understand.

Though packed with historical events and characters, once established, this book reads fairly quickly and easily. This book taught be a lot about the 100 Years War.The beautiful Artwork scattered through out the book is like icing on the cake.

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LibraryThing member EllenLEkstrom

An interesting and thoughtful chronicle of the political machinations and prowess of Yolande of Aragon, one of the women glossed over by historians, but a woman who did everything she could to make sure her son-in-law, Charles, was crowned king of France during the last phase of The Hundred Years

War. How Yolanda brought Joan of Arc to Charles' attention was no secret, however, given that by the time Joan met Charles the country knew the legend of a maid being called to free France from its oppressors. In my opinion, Joan was divinely inspired and called and her charisma was an asset, but she had help from mere mortals like the fascinating Yolande of Aragon.

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LibraryThing member ELEkstrom

This was not so much a biography or history of Joan of Arc, as a chronicle of the role Yolande of Aragon played during this part of the Hundred Years War between England and France, and her determination to have her son-in-law, Charles, crowned King of France. The research was excellent but alas, I

didn't learn anything new, anything I already didn't know. Joan's mockery of a trial and her execution didn't change the war or its outcome; they had no effect save that the English and Burgundians got rid of a political threat - a teenaged girl with astounding piety and charisma who rallied an army and a country to fight and be delivered from the English. I didn't think the book gave us any secret history, just brought to the fore the extraordinary effort and power of Yolande, a woman usually glossed over in the history books. Had this been more about Yolande, I would have like it even more. Still, a recommended book for readers who like late medieval history.

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LibraryThing member CurrerBell

I'm much more anxious to get started on Juliet Barker's two histories of the Hundred Years War (Agincourt and Conquest), but I decided to start on this pop-history first, as being a bit simpler of a read. It was worthwhile for a quickie introduction before I go on to Barker's obviously more

scholarly work, and on that basis I rate it three-and-a-half. It's also very worthwhile for drawing attention to the Dauphin's mother-in-law, Yolande of Aragon (the "queen" of the title), and her crucial role in advancing French fortunes against England and Burgundy, preferring when possible diplomacy over warfare.

The book does take on a little too "breathless" a voice, though, and on one point I tend to be a little skeptical, namely, Goldstone's strong emphasis on the Romance of Melusine. She might have a argument here (and I have some knowledge of medieval literature, though I'm far from being an expert), but the argument could have been strengthened by a greater attention to "messianic" women appearing contemporarily with Joan, to tie such messianism in a time of crisis into Joan's larger place as a medieval prophetess.

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