This story is set in France in the year 1428. Mariane's parents have been murdered by the occupying English army. She has nothing left but the ring, insignia and gauntlet bequeathed to her by her father. Taken in by her aunt and uncle, Mariane is drawn to her strange and awkward cousin, Jehanne. Jehanne believes that God is telling her to lead her country against the English. At first Mariane is doubtful, but her cousin soon persuades her to rally to the cause. And, before long, Jehanne has persuaded the people of France to follow her. In the highest circles of power, however, corruption has taken root. There are those who have a lot to gain from an English king on the throne of France. Among them is Sir Gaston, a French knight. He is also Mariane's uncle - the sole person who knows the true value of the ring that she inherited from her father. It is the key to unlimited wealth - and Lord Gaston wants it. Mariane is in mortal danger and now she must make a choice: fight for herself and her future or fight for Joan of Arc and the future of France.

 

There are 288 pages in this book. This book was published 2005 by Oxford University Press .