Envoy of Jerusalem: Balian d'Ibelin and the Third Crusade

Literature & Fiction

synopsis

Synopsis

BEST BIOGRAPHY 2017 (Book Excellence Awards) BEST CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL FICTION 2017 ( Readers' Favorite) BEST SPIRITUAL/RELIGIOUS FICTION 2017 (Feathered Quill AwardS) BEST BIOGRAPHICAL FICTION 2016B (Pinnacle Book Awards) Honorable Mention from Foreword Indies Awards 2017 for Military/Wartime Fiction Balian d'Ibelin has survived the devastating defeat of the Christian army on the Horns of Hattin and walked away a free man after the surrender of Jerusalem, but he is baron of nothing in a kingdom that no longer exists. Haunted by the tens of thousands of Christians now enslaved by the Saracens, he is determined to regain what has been lost. The arrival of a vast crusading army under the soon-to-be-legendary Richard the Lionheart offers hope -- but also conflict, as natives and crusaders clash and French and English quarrel.

bio

Author Biography

For readers tired of clichés and cartoons, award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader offers nuanced insight to historical events and figures based on sound research and an understanding of human nature. Her complex and engaging characters bring history back to life as a means to better understand ourselves. Particularly, her Jerusalem Trilogy, set in the Holy Land in the late 12th century, has won critical acclaim. Envoy of Jerusalem: Balian d’Ibelin and the Third Crusade won Best Biography 2017 from Book Excellence Awards, Best Christian Historical Fiction 2017 from Readers’ Favorites, Best Spiritual/Religious Fiction 2017 from Feathered Quill Book Awards, Best Biographical Fiction 2016 from Pinnacle Book Achievement Award and an Honorable Mention for Wartime/Military Fiction at the Foreword INDIE Awards. Defender of Jerusalem, won six literary accolades including the John E. Weaver Award for Best Historical Fiction: Middle Ages. Visit http://www.helenapschrader.com or follow her blog: http://schradershistoricalfiction.blogspot.com for updates on current works, recent reviews and excerpts.

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Author Insight

Hoping for a Better Future

At the turn of the year, we frequently look to the future and hope that things will be better "in the new year." Given the challenges that 2020 posed for most of us, that longing for a new start and a "better year" is particularly strong right now. This excerpt focuses on an even more intense yearning -- that of prisoners for release. The setting is the dungeon of Aleppo, where Frankish noblemen have been confined for months after being taken captive (POWs) at the Battle of Hattin.

Book Excerpt

Envoy of Jerusalem: Balian d'Ibelin and the Third Crusade

THE SOUND OF THE VOICES BEYOND the door, followed by the turning of the key and the screeching of the door on its hinges, attracted the attention of all the prisoners. Some sat up or even stood. “Too early for dinner,” someone remarked warily.

The door clunked against the wall as it was shoved back by a strong arm, and Humphrey de Toron walked in wearing a clean kaftan and smelling of balsam soap. He was growing a beard now and wore a turban as well as a kaftan. He looked every inch the elegant young Muslim scholar—except for being blond. “Come to try to convert the rest of us?” Haifa snarled, and had the satisfaction of seeing Toron wince.

Toron recovered rapidly, and replied with dignity, “No, I would not attempt something so futile. Nor do my clothes denote a change of religion—”

“No, just a willingness to toady to our jailers,” Aimery de Lusignan sneered, emerging from the darker reaches of the dungeon. He too was bearded, but not by choice.

Toron turned to the Constable. “My letter to the Sultan has yielded fruit,” he announced bravely. “Queen Sibylla is to be allowed to go to Tyre, and the Marquis de Montferrat is to accompany us.”

“Me?” The aging Marquis reared up on his pallet. “Why me?”

“I don’t know for sure,” Toron admitted, “but Imad ad-Din hinted that your son Conrad might pay your ransom.”

“Ah, Conrad.” The old Marquis smiled at the mention of his son’s name. Conrad was his second son, but after his firstborn came out to Jerusalem to marry Sibylla and died there, Conrad had been his greatest asset in the wars against the Holy See. Except for that unfortunate incident when he’d rebelled against the Archbishop of Mainz, he’d been a powerful ally, a natural leader of men, fearless in battle, and a charmer in council. For the others in the room he remarked, “He married Emperor Isaac Angelus’ sister, you know, and was raised to the position of Caesar. He certainly has the funds to buy my freedom.”

“Put in a good word for the rest of us, would you?” Caesarea suggested bluntly.

“You can be sure of it, my good lords. For all of you. All I need is to get word to Conrad. He’s a good boy.”