First published:  in France by Editions de Trévise 1966
First published in  Great Britain 1966 by William Heineman Ltd.





 French version 350 pages, chapters 19
English version 320 pages, chapters 16

English translation by Jocasta Goodwin

English version does not contain all of the original work
some important dialoque between Catherine and Arnaud is missing!

translated into more than twenty languages

for international book covers - see our special sites

Chapter Synopses - Routes of Catherine


Film Adaption in 1968 Catherine, Il suffit d'un amour
Director Bernard Borderie
 Music by Michel Magne

Television-Serie in 1986 Catherine, Il suffit d'un amour
Co-Production Antenne 2 - SFP
Director Marion Sarraut
Adaption Juliette Benzoni & Jean Chatenet
Music by Robert Viger

 Ballad of Catherine 1965
 Text: Juliette Benzoni
Singer: Bernard Stéphane






 

The story opens as Catherine awakens in a small boat hidden in a narrow creek. The day before she and Arnaud de Montsalvy had narrowly escaped death for their part in a plot to rescue Jeanne d'Arc; now as the sun comes up, Catherine realizes that Arnaud has disappeared. Determinded to find him and spend the rest of her life at his side, Catherine seeks Arnaud through a France still torn by the ravages of the Hundred Years War. She is in constant danger from the English soldiery; threatened, in the city of Chartres by the terrible Black Death; imprisoned in Gilles de Rais ghastly "Bluebeard's Castle and forced to witness the barbaric hunting down of her giant servant Gauthier.
At last, Catherine and Arnaud are reunited - and she becomes the Comtesse de Montsalvy. To her and Arnaud's immense joy - she gives birth to their son "Michel" called after his uncle Michel de Montsalvy.
But already the sky darkens - they arrive at Montsalvy where they find Arnaud's noble castle in ruins - by the order of King Charles VII. Instead of happiness - together with her beloved husband therie is now only grief and deep sorrow in store for...

Catherine and Arnaud



....introducing the main characters in book 3
 

                                         

Catherine
Arnaud de Montsalvy
Sara
Gauthier Stronghitarm
Jean de Xaintrailles
La Hire
Gilles de Rais
Jean de Craon
Anne de Craon
Jacques Coeur
Macée Coeur

 

Isabelle de Montsalvy
Michel de Montsalvy (son)
Marie de Comborn (cousin)
Saturnin
Donatienne
Fortunat
Rodrigo de Villa-Andrade
Escorneboeuf
Bernard d'Armagnac, Count of Periac
Chevalier Hugh Alan Kennedy
Jean de Cabanes

 


 

"Lady, I owe you my life. Do with me what you will...but allow me to serve you. The fairest lady may
have a faithful dog"
Gauthier the Norman, to Catherine Chapter One

"Can you hide me and my two servants? I am hunted, cornered...and I am pregnant. And can you
help me find Xaintrailles or La Hire?...assuming that they are not in prison too"
Catherine to Jacques Coeur Chapter Seven

"Od's Blood! That's good news! A little Montsalvy! We'll have a great baby and I'll be godfather...
you owe me that Catherine."
Jean de Xaintrailles to Catherine Chapter Seven

" I am a Montsalvy and my patents of nobility give me the right to speak to the King, when I want
without seeking an audience."
Arnaud de Montsalvy to Jean de Xaintrailles

"Remember, in the hours of pain and sorrow, which still await you, the old pilgrim from Compostela
and to whom you brought help, and who will pray for you..remember Barnaby...
Blind Pilgrim to Catherine and Arnaud Chapter Ten

"My heart is full of love and gentleness, the ice is like a flowering mead and all the snow is green...
Arnaud de Montsalvy, singing to Catherine Chapter Ten

"Why so sad, Catherine? Our home is destroyed, but the family is intact. We have shelter...and I love you!
Smile at me, my heart. When you are sad, the whole world is dark.
Arnaud de Montsalvy to Catherine his wife Chapter Eleven

"I would recommend you to use other terms when you speak of my wife. And I expect you to rembember
this: you are my mother and I respect you and I love you, but she is my wife, flesh of my flesh, the
breath of life to me and nothing, no one, will make me give her up."
Arnaud de Montsalvy to Isabelle de Montsalvy his mother  Chapter Twelve

"Sir Count! I owe you more than my life, since I owe you also that of my beloved husband. I will not forget
and, for these great gifts, I give you thanks. May I add, that I would love to know who you are?"
Catherine de Montsalvy to Bernard d'Armagnac Chapter Twelve

"Little one, you'll always need more courage. More, perhaps than you know, but you will not fail,
because you are his wife."
Sara to Catherine de Montsalvy Chapter Thirteen

"To the wife of a dear friend, to one who bas been entrusted to my keeping, and is dearer to me
than my own kith and kin. Even if it brings down your anger upon me I cannot forgo the duty
Montsalvy laid upon me or break my word. You see your husband is my brother-in-arms"!
Sir Hugh Alan Kennedy to Catherine de Montsalvy Chapter Fifteen

"Michel remains with you...and I...if you want me. I do not know how to say these things, and I know
that you have never loved me. However, I am ready to give you all the respect and tenderness
I can no longer give to him...
Catherine de Montsalvy to Isabelle de Montsalvy her mother-in-law Chapter Fifteen














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