Lionheart Series

Ferdia, a young Irish noble held hostage after the English invasion of Ireland, saves the life of Henry II’s son Richard and enters his service. He accompanies Richard through rebellion against his father, warfare in Aquitaine and the struggle for the English crown. When Richard becomes king, Ferdia remains beside him as he prepares to leave his new kingdom for the Third Crusade.

Richard and Ferdia travel through Sicily to Acre, where rival kings, disease and repeated assaults divide the crusading army. They fight Saladin at Arsuf but leave Jerusalem unconquered. On the journey home Richard is captured and held for ransom while his brother John and Philip II of France threaten his lands. After his release, Richard returns to defend his crown and recover the territories lost during his absence.