The Turin Shroud Trilogy
The Crusader's Blade (Book 1)
1202, the Lionheart is dead and the Angevin Empire slowly crumbles. Robert of Oldfield is forced to flee England after killing a corrupt priest. Joining a band of mercenaries destined for Venice he makes his way to where the Christians are assembling for the Crusade. On his journey from boy to manhood, he encounters a secret Brotherhood and their avowed enemy The Order of the Blooded Cross. Set against the backdrop of the ill-fated Fourth Crusade, “The Crusader’s Blade” is the first of three novels that draw heavily on historical detail, intermingling real and fictitious characters and events to give an enthralling portrait of the religious battles of the age.
The Crusader's Revenge (Book 2)
1203, The Fourth Crusade is in disarray and Christian fights Christian. Robert of Oldfield, a young fugitive, fights under the mercenary banner of the shadowy Commander Reynard. Meanwhile, a secret holy treasure, which if discovered, could change the course of history, lies in the ancient city of Constantinople. Robert and Reynard must now ally themselves with the mysterious Brotherhood of Turin to cross swords with its dark and powerful enemy, The Order of the Blooded Cross. Their mission - to locate the hidden treasure before the Order finds it and take it to sanctuary.
The second book of this historical trilogy visits the brutal sacking of one of the greatest cities of its time, the two sieges of Constantinople, and the enthronement of the first Latin Emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
The Crusader's Honour (Book 3)
1204, The Crusade has failed and the great city of Constantinople lies in ruins. Knowing that the ancient capital of the Byzantine Empire is no longer safe. Robert and the Commander Reynard are charged with smuggling a treasure of immense power from the city. With the aid of the Turin Shroud Brotherhood, the two friends, flee the capital and make for the Kingdom of Sicily. From there they will travel to lands more torn by war, than Palestine itself. But lurking in the shadows, the sinister Order of the Blooded Cross are slowly closing in.
The Crusader’s Honour is the final book in the Turin Shroud Trilogy. While Books One and Two followed the factual events of the catastrophic failure of the Fourth Crusade. In this Third novel of medieval adventure, read how the rapid historical events of the early 13th Century, changed the course of history forever.
Tales of The Brotherhood
The Crusader's Crown (Book 1)
1212, Eight years have passed since Robert of Oldfield returned home from Constantinople where he had fought in the ill-fated fourth Crusade.
But far in the south a new Crusade has been called by the Pope. The Forgotten Army, a mercenary force which Robert joined as a young fugitive, has pledged its service to the King of Navarre, one of four Kingdoms to take the sword to the Almohad Caliphate.
Meanwhile, word has reached the secretive Brotherhood of the Turin Shroud that their relentless adversary, the Order of the Blooded Cross, is in pursuit of a legendary Treasure of ultimate power. Bound by their oaths, Robert and his old comrade, Commander Reynard Sancerre, answer the call as the Brotherhood rallies its knights to their banner.
Using accurate accounts, ‘The Crusader’s Crown’ tells the tale of one of the key turning points of the Reconquista, a period in the history of the Iberian Peninsula which would last for over seven hundred years.
The Crusader & The Cathar (Book 2)
1212. After their victory at Tolosa and Baeza, Sir Robert and Commander Reynard are tasked with a new mission by the Brotherhood of the Turin Shroud. Supported by a loyal company of men, the two knights escort a nobleman and meet with the Cathar lords of Languedoc. After establishing an alliance with those who oppose the eradication of the Catharism belief, the two find themselves entangled in a new Crusade.
The almost impossible quest requires them to lead Cathar refugees to safety, as well as carrying two holy treasures over the Pyrenees and across the sea to a secret sanctuary. However, a new adversary has emerged from the darkness, and will do anything to exterminate all Cathars and those who protect them.
The Crusader & The Cathar gives a detailed account of the persecution and brutal treatment of the innocents of Catharism. The author has again been able to mix fiction with fact and give a clear impression of the dark years of the Albigensian Crusade.
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The Crusader's Escape (Book 3)
1214. King John of England has failed in his final attempt to win back what is left of the Angevin Empire. Arriving back on English shores after his defeat at the Battle of Bouvines forced him to abandon his campaign, he discovers the northern barons are close to rebellion. In the midst of this turmoil, Sir Robert Spurling, Knight of the Turin Shroud Brotherhood, has received word that his friend and mentor, Commander Reynard, is missing. With the help of loyal and trusted friends he must journey to the kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire to find the Commander, before their deadly enemies, followers of The Order of the Blooded Cross reach him first.
Returning to his homeland, he discovers that war between the northern barons and King John has begun, and England is engulfed in Civil War. Sir Robert must decide where his loyalties lie, to the crown and John 'Softsword', or to the barons who claim they are fighting for the people.
As well as the escapades undertaken by Robert and Commander Reynard, 'The Crusader's Escape' gives a fascinating account of the backstory to one of the most important documents in history - the great charter still known to this day as Magna Carta.
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