De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's Louis de Contes page, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life - as a youth in Domremy, as commander of Charles' army on a military campaign, and as a defendant at the Rouen trial. The book is presented as a translation by Alden of de Conte's memoirs, written in his later years for the benefit of his descendants...