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The Outremer Chronicles #1
The Templar's Apprentice
Outremer, the distant lands. The troubadours sing of its mystical loveliness and tell tales of love and honour woven around the constant battles between Christendom and Islam. For Honfroy, a young squire in the service of the Knights Templar, the reality is less poetic and far grimmer. The Kingdom of Jerusalem tenaciously holds onto the ribbon of land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, has united his warring factions. He is now determined to wipe the stain of the first crusade from the honour of Islam and regain the Holy City of Jerusalem. When Saladin’s army invades, Honfroy is catapulted into a world of treachery and deceit, where his life is in danger from both Moslem and Christian alike. From the blood-stained sands of the Holy Land to the intrigue of the court in Jerusalem, Honfroy grapples with his meteoric rise in fortune. His friendship with the new king, Baudoin, comes increasingly under threat from the political wiles of his mentor, Odo the Templar Grand Master, and the king’s mother, Agnes of Courtenay. Honfroy is enchanted by the beautiful but older Agnes. Not even the power of the Grand Master, however, can protect him when their secret liaison comes to the attention of the king. Banished from the court, Honfroy’s courage and skills are honed on the kingdom’s frontiers until the day when Odo summons his apprentice once more. Set against the turbulent background of the crusades, the Templar’s Apprentice is a gripping and enthralling tale of courage, friendship, love and treachery, reaching its blistering climax at the battle of Marj Ayyun.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2012
106 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Peter Tolladay
9 books30 followersMy passion for writing historical fiction stems from childhood visits to the castles of Edward “Longshanks” in North Wales. I have a great love for mountaineering, sailing, music, reading and old movies.
I am a full time independent writer. My novels include the bestselling ‘The Templar’s Apprentice’ and its three follow-ons which are set in the years up to, and including, the Third Crusade. ‘The Blood of Arthur’ tells of the young and turbulent life of Edward III. I also wrote a thriller, ‘Merriegold’, which is based upon MI5’s activities in post-WW1 Britain.
‘Red Deserts, Black Gods’, my latest novel, is the first of a proposed series set in Ancient Egypt.
I can be contacted on peter.admin@gegdi.com and on Twitter @PeterTolladay
I am a full time independent writer. My novels include the bestselling ‘The Templar’s Apprentice’ and its three follow-ons which are set in the years up to, and including, the Third Crusade. ‘The Blood of Arthur’ tells of the young and turbulent life of Edward III. I also wrote a thriller, ‘Merriegold’, which is based upon MI5’s activities in post-WW1 Britain.
‘Red Deserts, Black Gods’, my latest novel, is the first of a proposed series set in Ancient Egypt.
I can be contacted on peter.admin@gegdi.com and on Twitter @PeterTolladay
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 5, 2014
This book should be in hardback. I loved it. Gritty, realistic, educational, exciting. If you like David Gemmell you will like this.
March 21, 2014
This, I have to say, was a Kindle-only novel that I picked up on a whim, and that actually proved to be better than I was expecting!
Set during the time of the Crusades, this follows the fortunes of Honfroy,a young squire in the service of the Knight's Templar, and his rise to fame and fortune. While aspects of the plot-line may seem unrealistic (friends with the leprous King of Jerusalem from child-hood? Final battle being decided by one-to-one combat?), this is still actually a pretty enjoyable 'boys-own' adventure: I'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel!
Set during the time of the Crusades, this follows the fortunes of Honfroy,a young squire in the service of the Knight's Templar, and his rise to fame and fortune. While aspects of the plot-line may seem unrealistic (friends with the leprous King of Jerusalem from child-hood? Final battle being decided by one-to-one combat?), this is still actually a pretty enjoyable 'boys-own' adventure: I'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel!
March 12, 2014
An adventure into history that must be read by students of the era.
most enjoyable read! Well written. Based on manuscripts of the time it is historical fiction of the highest calibre. Rarely do I find a book that so engrossed me.
most enjoyable read! Well written. Based on manuscripts of the time it is historical fiction of the highest calibre. Rarely do I find a book that so engrossed me.
September 24, 2014
enrapturing piece of medieval fiction.
September 3, 2023
Sweeping Historical Epic
What I loved most about this war-torn story was the build-up and introduction to the both the characters and the time period. Honfroy started out a squire in service to the legendary Knights Templar, but after his first real battle, changes in his life move swiftly, and he learns even small mistakes carry heavy consequences.
The descriptions of heavy warfare painted a vivid picture of how battles were waged with enemy combatants in the high Middle Ages during the time of the Crusades. The descriptions of personal and political intrigue between the Palace and the Temple were eye-opening. The various feuds and squabbles between nobles and their jockeying for position felt real, and visceral. It was a brutal time, and the author did not hold back, giving the reader a taste of what life in Outremer entailed for women and for men, depending on their position in society.
What I loved most about this war-torn story was the build-up and introduction to the both the characters and the time period. Honfroy started out a squire in service to the legendary Knights Templar, but after his first real battle, changes in his life move swiftly, and he learns even small mistakes carry heavy consequences.
The descriptions of heavy warfare painted a vivid picture of how battles were waged with enemy combatants in the high Middle Ages during the time of the Crusades. The descriptions of personal and political intrigue between the Palace and the Temple were eye-opening. The various feuds and squabbles between nobles and their jockeying for position felt real, and visceral. It was a brutal time, and the author did not hold back, giving the reader a taste of what life in Outremer entailed for women and for men, depending on their position in society.
January 10, 2019
This is a fun read!
History is always told by those who survive it and this book is no different. Solid details without being too overwhelming. I liked it
History is always told by those who survive it and this book is no different. Solid details without being too overwhelming. I liked it
February 25, 2019
Good read if you like this genre
I’ve read a lot of books from this time period and this is a better novel than some. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
I’ve read a lot of books from this time period and this is a better novel than some. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
March 3, 2019
Good story. I need to learn more about the Crusades and the Kingdo of Outremer.
April 7, 2020
Great read!
Only one thing wrong with this book - it makes me buy the 2nd one! Nice story, you feel as if you are back in the Middle Ages.
Only one thing wrong with this book - it makes me buy the 2nd one! Nice story, you feel as if you are back in the Middle Ages.
April 11, 2021
I’m only on chapter 8, but the story line is like reading a historical story hopefully as I get into it a bit more I will understand it better
December 21, 2016
best of series!
Best of series! Carried right along, did not waste time on silly romance and
Things that never could happen!
I will continue with series
Best of series! Carried right along, did not waste time on silly romance and
Things that never could happen!
I will continue with series
September 28, 2014
Entertaining action story
Entertaining action story on the Crusades. The battles between the Christians and Muslims in the Middle ages. Based on historic chronicles.
Fun book to read. Totally recommended.
Entertaining action story on the Crusades. The battles between the Christians and Muslims in the Middle ages. Based on historic chronicles.
Fun book to read. Totally recommended.
May 17, 2015
An exciting action story, which drew me in, set in crusaders' era. A young male protagonist ready to assert his [place and ability in a land of some real hostility , places mentioned well researched.
July 11, 2016
Great Story!!
This was one of the best books I have read about the crusades. It has an authenticity that gives the characters, dialogue, and descriptions a great amount of realism. The action is well done and the dialogue is excellent.
This was one of the best books I have read about the crusades. It has an authenticity that gives the characters, dialogue, and descriptions a great amount of realism. The action is well done and the dialogue is excellent.
November 11, 2017
First in series
Good story. Look forward to next one. Easily read and good historical insight into Templars and medieval warfare. On to next one
Good story. Look forward to next one. Easily read and good historical insight into Templars and medieval warfare. On to next one
November 29, 2013
An improbable plot line.
June 1, 2015
A great story.
April 27, 2017
A fun quick read. It feels more fictional than other books about the time period.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews