When most people think of the Crusades, they think of the wars in the Holy Land between Christians and Muslims. I think part of why I found this book so fascinating is because it explores areas of history I was so unfamiliar with before reading this book. It's certainly never dull and provides a gripping adventure and strikes a chord with me in its themes of love, religious tolerance, redemption, and how there are things that can't be extinguished by the sword that find ways to emerge again into history. This is one of those few books that have been able to move me to tears. The book seems to be out of print (though I note a Kindle edition is available on Amazon), but the author's son has made it available on the internet for free under a creative commons license, so if you think you might want to read the novel, you can find it here. This is one of my favorite works of historical fiction and has a secure place on my bookshelf. ![]() ![]() ![]() The King ransoms himself and the people who remain, and returns to France. Roland and Amalric FINALLY have a pitched battle and guess who wins. Roland's jongleur, Perrin, is carried to a death pit of soldiers by the King, accompanied by many knights. Diane is burned at the stake, but is saved from the pain by one of the Templars. Roland is pressed into service to defend the King against foes stirred up by Amalric, who he learns is his half-brother. The second part of the book deals with the Outremer 1249 - 1250, which we know as Egypt. But Roland also loves Nicolette, who is married to Amalric, a dastardly character. Diane, therefore, cannot touch Roland at all, though she is torn. The first part of this book, "France, 1244-1248," deals with the "Lights" part, and Diane who is a Cathar, is in Love with Roland, a troubadour. The King of France, Louis the IX, a gentle, pious man, repeatedly tried to lead crusades to free Jerusalem from influences other than Christian, and fails. ![]() 344) This is a recurring pattern in this book. He felt only a dull ache of sorrow for those who had died this day and pity for all others, including himself, who must go on living and suffering." (from p. Again and again, facing death his mind and heart and body had been forced to their highest pitch of fury, terror and grief. " was like a man who had been made to walk for uncounted hours at the very edge of a cliff.
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