Step into the world of Crusader’s Path in this cinematic
excerpt. Experience the emotion, strategy, and sacrifice, where loyalty is
tested, and destiny is forged in battle.
From the clash of armies to the shadows of betrayal, the
stakes couldn’t be higher. This cinematic excerpt offers just a glimpse of the
adventure that awaits within the pages of the novel.
If
you enjoy powerful historical fiction, you’ll love Forgiving Nero. An
award‑winning novel of betrayal, survival, and redemption set in ancient Rome. https://books2read.com/u/3GOMvQ
From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of
Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and Avielle find themselves drawn
by the need for redemption against the backdrop of the First Crusade.
Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy
Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the
treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes
while en route to the Byzantine Empire.
Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the
streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims.
Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the
Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting
for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.
Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where
they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle
contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest
cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.
Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of
the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?
Ribbon
lightning flashed across the darkened sky as Duke Robert and Etienne reached
the outer castle walls. Crackling thunder shook the ground beneath them as they
dismounted near the stables. The grayish clouds burst open, sending a deluge of
water upon the earth. Strong winds whipped the rain, stinging the face as the
men fled inside, pulling their mounts behind them. The animals neighed,
standing on their hind legs, threatening to trample anyone in their way.
“All
is well, hush,” Etienne said, trying to calm the horse, rubbing its face and
neck with his hand.
Duke
Robert managed to get his stallion into its stall and proceeded to inspect the
length of the barn, comforting the animals.
“I
think it best to stay here until the storm passes,” Etienne said.
Sitting
on a bale of hay, Etienne leaned against the wall. Looking at the loft, he
remembered a stormy night when he and Isabella took shelter on a warm summer’s
day. He recalled her laughter, her wet hair sticking to her face, her eyes
sparkling when he touched her cheek. Invigorated by the smell of freshly cut
hay, they tumbled in the straw, satisfying their desire numerous times until
the rain stopped.
You
need to go home, Etienne thought.
“Has
there been word of Henry?” Duke Robert said, sitting across from his favored
friend. “But I have interrupted your thoughts.”
“I
was just wondering how long the storm will last. As for your brother’s
whereabouts, the spies have not returned. He cannot be far.”
“Have
you given His Holiness’s call for an Army of God much thought? I dare say I am intrigued. My soul is in need
of saving, but the peasants would revolt if I taxed them to pay for such a
lengthy campaign.”
“He
did say full remission of our sins,” Etienne said. “I am tempted, but my sword
is yours, Your Grace.”
“Ah,
that is good to hear, because, my friend, I am inclined to join the campaign.
It would free me from this useless fighting. And William Rufus would probably
lend me the money, or I could ask Henry. Upon our return, they would not dare
to rise up against me, lest they be excommunicated.”
“If
that is your wish, so be it. I would visit Argences before we leave. Isabella
can rule in my absence, as she has done in the past, until we are safely home.”
Mary Ann Bernal
Award-winning author, Mary Ann Bernal, attended Mercy
College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business
Administration. Her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the
first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009. In addition
to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of
contemporary short stories in the Scribbler Tales series and a science
fiction/fantasy novel entitled Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire. Her recent
work includes Crusader’s Path, a redemption story set against the backdrop of
the First Crusade, and Forgiving Nero, a novel of Ancient Rome.
Since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has been a passionate
supporter of the United States military, having been involved with
letter-writing campaigns and other support programs. She appeared on The
Morning Blend television show hosted by KMTV, the CBS television affiliate in
Omaha, and was interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald for her volunteer work.
She has been a featured author on various reader blogs and promotional sites.
Please give a warm Coffee Pot welcome to Historical Fiction author, Mary Ann Bernal. Mary Ann is talking about the First Crusade, but before we get to that let's check out Mary Ann's fabulous novel...!
Crusader's Path
By Mary Ann Bernal
Publication Date: 12th April 2020
Publisher: Whispering Legends Press
Page Length: 224 Pages (Hardcover)
Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Romance
From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and Avielle find themselves drawn by the need for redemption against the backdrop of the First Crusade.
Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.
Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.
Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.
Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?
Setting the stage for the First Crusade
1096-1099
By Mary Ann Bernal
During the Eleventh Century, the Roman Catholic Church held considerable influence throughout Christendom, despite the East-West Schism of 1054 caused by political and theological differences between the Latin West and Greek Eastern Orthodox Church.
Violence, lawlessness, famine, and poverty existed across the European continent. Peasants were at the mercy of the warring nobles craving wealth and power. A significant disparity prevailed in a social hierarchy where landowners set the rules, giving little hope for commoners to rise above their station.
The authority of the Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome, had waned over the years. Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, clashed with Pope Gregory VII over papal authority. Pope Urban’s predecessor, Pope Gregory, excommunicated the errant Emperor. Military clashes ensued, and the victorious Henry installed the Antipope, Clement III, as the Bishop of Rome.
Alexios I, the Byzantine Emperor, needed help in thwarting the Seljuk Turks harassing his kingdom. Fearing the fall of his capital city, Constantinople, Alexios requested Pope Urban’s assistance in vanquishing the infidel.
The Call to Arms
Pope Urban saw the request from Alexios as a means to reunite the Latin West and Greek East. Additionally, by channeling the violent knights’ and mercenaries’ thirst for fighting towards a common enemy, the followers of Islam, Pope Urban kept unchivalrous warriors from pillaging the European countryside. Besides, a successful campaign would strengthen the Papacy, enhancing political power and dominance over kingly rule. And freeing Jerusalem from Muslim control would secure his place in history.
Pope Urban II was a charismatic and intriguing man. In all probability, he was calculating and manipulative, necessary traits to retain control of the Papacy, defeating his enemies with skillful finesse.
The Council at Claremont had been called to address abuses within the Catholic Church. The assembly decided many canons, renewed earlier legislation, and settled lawsuits at its conclusion. However, Pope Urban piqued the curiosity of the religious elite and common people when mentioning a great speech on the day before the attendees’ departure.
In an open field, the eloquent preacher spoke of atrocities committed upon Christians by the Muslims. Pope Urban maligned the Saracens oppressing Christians, his speech cleverly fashioned to incite the crowd. He offered salvation, giving hope to the hopeless, calling upon rich and poor alike to embark on a righteous war. Pope Urban promised a full remission of sins if they died during the journey or on the battlefield. The chant Deus Vult, God wills it, echoed throughout the crowd.
Pope Urban’s successful oration created the armies of the First Crusade. Although religion was the driving force, the nobility and lowly knights sought land and wealth. They would give no quarter since the Church condoned killing.
The Armies
Peter of Amiens took Pope Urban at his word, leaving without paying heed to logistics – a coordinated campaign, led by princes and noblemen, acquiring manpower, provisions and money, a lot of money to pay the soldiers, and purchase supplies along the route.
Known as Peter the Hermit, the lowly monk preached to the peasants from Claremont to Amiens before setting out to Cologne, following the Rivers Rhine and Danube, reaching Constantinople before Pope Urban’s officially sanctioned army. Known as the People’s Crusade or the Peasants’ Crusade, the ill-fated collection of Pilgrims failed to reach the Holy Land, most perishing on the road to Nicaea.
The peasants risked everything to reclaim the Holy Land for God, proudly wearing the Cross. They were ill-equipped, mostly farmers, men, women, and children. They left behind land they did not own, carrying meager possessions with them, believing Pope Urban’s words, attaining salvation, their sins forgiven.
Peter could not control the unruly mob who ravished the land with such ferocity that sent chills down the spine of the Turkish people when word reached their ears of the rabble’s murderous deeds.
The Princes’ Crusade consisted of four main armies, leaving Europe in August 1096, the planned departure date, and several months after Peter’s Army of Peasants.
To the aristocracy, fighting for Christ was an honor, elevating their standing within the hierarchy, commanding respect and awe from the masses. While saving souls was the catalyst, attaining wealth in a land flowing with milk and honey, controlling centers of trade satisfied their ambition.
Aftermath
The First Crusade was a holy war that had the blessing of God, according to Pope Urban. The Commandment, thou shall not kill, was ignored when fighting the infidel. In retaliation, the Muslims raged a Holy War against the Christians. The apoplectic war of the two faiths continues to this day.
The First Crusade saw the establishment of the Crusader States and the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller military orders.
The role of the Roman Popes progressed in secular affairs.
Alliances deteriorated between the Latin West and Greek East.
Subsequent crusades failed to keep Jerusalem under Christian control.
***
I could not help but wonder if Pope Urban would have condoned a Holy War if he knew the ramifications of his deeds. Just as I wonder if Catherine of Aragon would have given Henry VIII a divorce if she had known Henry would become the Church of England. Who in history has ever considered the consequences before acting? Just thoughts to ponder.
Mary Ann Bernal attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business Administration. Her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009. In addition to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of contemporary short stories in the Scribbler Tales series and a science fiction/fantasy novel entitled Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire. Her recent work includes Crusader’s Path, a redemption story set against the backdrop of the First Crusade, and Forgiving Nero, a novel of Ancient Rome.
