Yolanda: Maid of Burgundy

Set against the crag‑filled peaks of Styria, this tale opens in a stark medieval castle where life is measured by the clang of armor and the bitter taste of sour wine. Through the eyes of an older chronicler, the narrative questions the lofty myths that surround Europe’s great rulers, suggesting that even the most celebrated figures were often ordinary, flawed men. The story’s focus, however, quickly turns to the women whose fates are tangled in the politics of marriage and power.

At the heart of the early chapters is Maximilian, a young Habsburg heir restless for adventure, and his devoted mother, the Duchess of Styria, whose love both shelters and restrains him. Their world collides with that of Mary, the gentle daughter of the formidable Duke of Burgundy, as plans are laid for a union that could reshape alliances. The narrator’s journey to the Burgundian stronghold of Peronne La Pucelle introduces a vivid cast of dukes, lords, and the everyday folk who sustain them.

Rich in historical texture yet intimate in its character portraits, the book invites listeners to glimpse a turbulent era through the lens of personal ambition, familial duty, and the often‑overlooked struggles of the women who lived at its center.