American Independence was fuelled by two Englishmen. The first was John Wilkes, few in America have ever heard of. In 1763, charged with seditious libel (criticising the King), he left for Paris where he lived for four years in Hôtel de Saxe, Rue du Colombier (now part of the chic Rue Jacob in the 6th arrondissement).

Although hers is the most recognised face in the world, Lisa Gherardini was air brushed out of Florence for five centuries.

Born illegitimate without a legal name to Caterina, a fifteen year old servant girl, the name of Leonardo da Vinci is now the most famous on the planet.

Many artists paint what they see. Max painted what he couldn't see. He looked at a floorboard and saw a forest. He looked at a grain silo and saw a monster.

The French monarchy was in a state of collapse. An English boy was King of France. Yolande's beloved adopted country was holding on by its toe nails.

Following in my heroine’s footsteps, here I am in Saumur, in her favourite Château which has barely changed since she lived here.

Yolande, for all her devotion to France, her adopted country, was in fact a Spanish Princess, the daughter of King John I of Aragon and Violant of the duchy of Bar.

Although Yolande of Aragon saved France, I am sad to report that she is now shockingly and shamefully, all but forgotten.