"The story of one of the most remarkable women of the medieval world, as you have never read it before. In Joan of Arch : a history, Helen Castor tells this gripping story afresh: forwards, not backwards. Instead of an icon, she gives us a living, breathing woman confronting the challenges of faith and doubt, a roaring girl who, in fighting the English, was also taking sides in a bloody civil war. We meet this extraordinary girl amid the tumultuous events of her extraordinary world where no one--not Joan herself, nor the people around her, princes, bishops, soldiers or peasants--knew what would happen next"--Provided by publisher.

"Originally published in England in 2014 by Faber & Faber"--Title page verso.

Cast of characters -- Family trees -- Maps -- Introduction: "Joan of Arc" -- Prologue: The field of blood -- Part One. Before -- This war, accursed of God -- Like another Messiah -- Desolate and divided -- Part Two. Joan -- The maid -- Like an angel from God -- A heart greater than any man's -- A creature in the form of a woman -- I will be with you soon -- A simple maid -- Fear of the fire -- Part Three. After -- Those who called themselves Frenchmen -- She was all innocence -- Epilogue: "Saint Joan".