Answer:
Most Likely the Encyclopedia
Explanation:
The reason I don't say the book is because the essay calls specifically for the deeds of Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc is mostly known for her military deeds, and for this reason I say that encyclopedia as a opposed to just a book about them. Encyclopedias are rife with information, books don't have to provide much.
One reason France sent explorers to North America in the early 1500s was to gauge the value of the land, the resources the land had as well as the hostility of the local tribes.
What is more, the main goal was to find gold in those lands, due to the fact that, that was the purpose of almost all European powers at this time. Nevertheless, there was no gold to be found in North America.