High Medieval

The story of the wars and conquests initiated by the first Crusade and its successors is itself so compelling that most accounts move quickly from describing the Pope's calls to arms to the battlefield. In this highly original and enjoyable new book, Christopher Tyerman focuses on something obvious but overlooked: the massive, all-encompassing, and hugely costly business of actually preparing a crusade.

Late December, 1389. Ordered to undertake a grueling three-day journey to bleak Whitby Abbey in the Far North of England in a bid to purchase the Abbey's priceless holy relic - a lock of St. Hild's hair, said to be 700 years old - Hildegard of Meaux and her three companion monks arrive to find the abbey a decidedly unwelcoming place, a place of strange customs and practices very different from their modest lifestyle at Meaux. Nor, as Hildegard discovers, is she the only visitor intent on acquiring the relic.

Everything hinges on the success of Dougray and Robbie, orphaned brothers and fugitives, to lead King Morgran’s soldiers on a wild goose chase to the Groaning Rocks, a place of demented souls. Attacked by a black dragon, they are rescued and given shelter by Alysam, an exile from Alpinia. But all is not well. Dougray is infected with dragon venom and begins to turn to stone. A desperate race for survival begins as the dragon pursues them through the underground passageways. Found by Navarre, last of the Healers, Dougray is restored to health and the brothers are then offered a place of ...

Gyrth son of Godwin finds his nuptials interrupted by news that King Edward intends to rid his country of Earl Godwin and his clan once and for all. He creates a situation Godwin cannot win, and the whole family are dispossessed and thrown out of the country. Godwin has a plan for revenge, but before he can put it into action the kidnapping of the daughter of the Count of Flanders puts everything in jeopardy. Only with the help of a wild girl from the Airish lands can the brothers fight to regain what is truly theirs. The story is based around the events of 1051, when Edward of England and ...

Pirate mercenary Lochlan MacLean loves his life on the sea, yet yearns for lands of his own to call home. He chooses his missions wisely, taking care they don’t go against his strict moral code. But when a deceitful father hires him for a challenging task - kidnapping a woman - he questions himself and his ethics. The spoils in both land and coin will fulfill his dream, and he can’t resist the job or the beautiful lass.

Join Ulagret, a shy craftsman who has been forced by circumstances to fight against one of the great arch demons that threatens to tear the world of Evorath apart. With only a small army on his side, he must break through his own insecurity to become the hero that his people need. In this prequel to the first novel in his Evorath series, author Joseph Macolino introduces readers to the early foundation of the world and one of the most turbulent trials the people of Evorath had to face. In this brief novella, readers witness an exciting battle that will steer the course of elvish history. As...

This is the first book in The Devil's Gambit, an epic fantasy series. Demons are humans. They are the forgotten. The war has raged for centuries, and the story has remained unchanged. The Devil sends his army to eradicate humanity and claim the kingdom he once swore to protect. However, Candelux—the priest guild—stands in his way, forcing him to cower in hiding. That cycle is about to be broken. The humans bask in serenity as evidence of the demon threat seems to wane, but terror looms on the horizon. A demon lord rises to lead the Devil’s cursed soldiers to victory, and in his wake, ...

The Viking Great Army landed in East Anglia in late 865 and over the following fifteen years it fought numerous battles in all four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, made and broke peace treaties, and deposed or killed at least three Anglo-Saxon kings, replacing them with its own appointees. It had a major impact on English society, initiating extensive transformations in Anglo-Saxon society, culture, economy, and political organization. Previous Viking armies had raided only in the summer months, but the Great Army was a constant presence over this period.

Two villains become heroes as their decaying empires clash. Two hundred years before the events of the Apócryfa trilogy, the fledgling Kingdom of Nevermore faces wild monsters and rebellious mountain colonies. As plague takes the realm, a rare knight defends an outpost and makes tough decisions to save her people while a young summoner shaman seeks power for her village from dark spirits at a steep cost. Both women, innocent yet guilty of causing devastation, will be transformed by their hard choices. Sacrifice changes all.

Paris, 1393. A masquerade ball at the palace ends in tragedy, with four revelers burned to death. Was it an accident...or did someone deliberately hurl a flaming torch at the dancers? Convinced it was an act of murder and that the king himself was the real target, Queen Isabeau has asked Christine de Pizan to spend time at court in an attempt to uncover the identity of the would-be assassin.

This Long Form Edition includes all 3 parts of The Brall Empire: +Fred series.Fred's life was on autopilot, but that abruptly changed. He finds himself in a new world, with strange people and fearsome monsters. The Brall take one look at Fred and expect him to die within hours. However, there is more to Fred than even he knows. He struggles to stay alive, as he uses his knowledge from Earth to strengthen the fragmented Brall Empire. Along the way, he gains powerful allies and inadvertently provokes and inspires a ruthless General. Can Fred save the Brall and bring stability to the Empire? ...

Is the Voice Lisa’s Protector or a Predator? When her father Alexander is murdered, Lisa’s safe, carefree world unravels. At 16, her only escape is to flee from the mayhem and chaos that promises to come crashing down on her very being. From her wicked mother. From her drunken stepbrother. And from the greedy church. The year was 1,000 AD. Bright and clever, she becomes the eyes and ears of her papa’s many enterprises. Lisa is his confidant and the son he desires as an heir. Afraid for his own daughter’s future, Alexander shares a plan to her to follow upon his death. Within days of...

Combined for great value! The multi award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Peel away the layers of Priestley's complex drama to appreciate this powerful warning, wrapped up in the genre of a gripping detective story, and truly understand that "We don't live alone. We are members of one body."

WINNER! American Fiction Awards ... Fantasy Historial Fiction Can the Hamlet of Harmonie Remain Hidden? It’s the 11th century and Nichol with an infant daughter must escape Paris with her extended family. In Book 2 of the Harmonie series, The Secret Hamlet, the power of Nichol is turned loose. At her side is Shadow, her wolf-dog. In the bitter winter, she has become the target of the ruthless priest Loupe and her evil brother Fredric, both in pursuit of her and her daughter, Lucette. With her expanding vision and skills coupled with the guidance of the Lady, Nichol leads her family, and ...

Kileean O’Tamman has long believed a long and brutal war, one which will involve and engulf all the Twelve Nations, is inevitable. As a high-ranking leader within the mercenary guild the Brotherhood of Freeswords, he should be eagerly anticipating the commencement of hostilities. Such a conflict would be highly profitable for the organization to which he has sworn his loyalty on binding soul-oath. He would be expected to lead armies into combat, the Brotherhood as a whole and those under his command standing to enrich themselves mightily from lucrative contracts and the spoils conquering ...

This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis, enabling any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Judge for yourself whether Lear is "a man more sinned against than sinning" in this moral tale that pits wisdom and age against ambition and youth. Experience and examine the power of Shakespeare's most cruel and violent tragedy.

Seonag Ruane never believed her father died in an ambush. She knows he was betrayed by men he trusted. Driven by her mother’s grief and her own need for vengeance, Seonag will do whatever it takes to discover the truth. Even risk her own life. Her plan for revenge never included falling in love with the sweet-tongued pirate who shared his secrets late at night.

The idea of the sword-wielding samurai, beholden to a strict ethical code and trained in deadly martial arts, dominates popular conceptions of the samurai. As early as the late 17th century, they were heavily featured in literature, art, theater, and even comedy. This book gives listeners access to the real samurai as they lived, fought, and served. Much as they capture the modern imagination, the samurai commanded influence over the politics, arts, philosophy, and religion of their own time, and controlled Japan from the 14th century until their demise in the mid-19th century.

In The Role of the Scroll, Thomas Forrest Kelly brings to life the most interesting scrolls in medieval history, placing them in the context of those who made, commissioned, and used them, and reveals their remarkably varied uses. Scrolls were the best way to keep ever-expanding lists, for example, those of debtors. Kelly explores the scroll's incredible diversity. A recipe for turning everyday metal into gold offers a glimpse into medieval alchemy, and a log of gifts for Queen Elizabeth I showcases royal flattery and patronage.

Princess Rosalynn is pretty, spoiled, and childish. She gives no thought to the men and women that protect her father's throne. Then one day, invaders from the enormous kingdom across the river storm across the Bridge and conquer the royal castle. Alone and in danger, Rosalynn sets out on foot to find her father. Driven by fear, she finds the Bridge and crosses it. In the enemy kingdom, she meets an unexpected friend--a woman who has discovered a secret way to save Rosalynn's kingdom. Together Rosalynn and the wise woman face enemy soldiers, wicked outlaws, and the wilds of the river on ...