A REALM ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER...
Home to many a serpent, in the hands of its stricken king, Jerusalem awaits with bated breath the outcome of the struggle between two great faiths of the age. In the treacherous pit that is cradle to ambition an...
This present note is simply meant to clarify what interested readers can expect from this project and offer some insights into the works which inspired this story.
Please note that for the most part the approach will be from the side of Christian scholars and Christian-adjacent sources. While it is not the least bit the objective of this story to demonise other religions and separate beliefs, the characters themselves will hold opinions congruent with the widespread beliefs of their time and while there is always place for unorthodox opinions in works of fiction, I feel more comfortable allowing the views of the age to prevail simply as a matter of authenticity, at least broadly speaking.
In and of itself, the story will follow much of the reign of Baldwin IV of Jersualem, with a strong romantic component and a slight twist to the historical facts.
For the benefit of my readers, I will include a short reference list of material which shaped my layman understanding of the Crusades and from which I took inspiration with certain episodes/viewpoints and information:
Cheyette, Frederic L. and Margaret Switten. 1998. "Women in Troubadour Songs: Of the Comtessa and the Vilana." Women and Music, Vol. 2.
Hamilton, Bernard and Andrew Jotischky. 2020. Latin and Greek Monasticism in the Crusader States.
Hamilton, Bernard. 2005. The Leper King and His Heirs. Baldwin IV and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Luttrell, Anthony and Helen J. Nicholson. 2016. Hospitaller Women in the Middle Ages.
Nicolle, David. 2001. Essential Histories. The Crusades.
Nicholson, Helen J. 2023. Women and the Crusades.
Stark, Rodney. 2009. God's Battalions. The Case for the Crusades.
Additionally, from the YouTube channel Real Crusades History, the following videos have been viewed in preparation:
BaldwinIV, Leper King who Defeated Saladin - FULL DOCUMENTARY
Raynaldof Châtillon - The Untold Truth of a Crusader
Kingdom of Heaven review:Historical Inaccuracies and Accuracies (Parts 1-6)
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
For closer inspection of the story's cover art:
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The poster has been created with the following resources:
1) Microsoft Designer - the image of the medieval young woman in the style of an illuminated manuscript
2) Image by Freepix - Celtic knot border: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-celtic-frame-design_31477973.htm#fromView=search&page=2&position=28&uuid=8913b260-a639-466f-aaea-acfd7e6df9f6
3) Ornamental lettering by Dover Publication: https://www.doverpublications.com/zb/samples/998142/art5.htm
4) Carolingian font by William Boyd: https://www.dafont.com/carolingia.font
5) Background knit pattern from Photos Public Domain: https://www.photos-public-domain.com/2015/01/08/beige-knit-fabric-with-diamond-pattern-texture/
