The First Crusade

by Richard Foreman 3 books in this series

The First Crusade trilogy follows the fictional English knight Edward Kemp from the struggle to enter Antioch through the crusaders’ own encirclement and the final assault on Jerusalem. Bohemond of Taranto repeatedly employs Kemp as an intelligence agent, allowing the novels to move between siege lines, rival princely councils and enemy territory.

Historical leaders including Kerbogha, Adhemar of Le Puy, Godfrey of Bouillon and Raymond of Toulouse embody the coalition’s competing political and religious aims. The series presents the expedition as both armed pilgrimage and conquest: common danger can unite the contingents temporarily, but every captured city creates a new dispute over possession, authority and the meaning of victory.

Reading order

Books in this series (3 books)

1. Siege

Richard Foreman

4.0(588)

In 1098 the First Crusade remains trapped outside Antioch. Hunger and desertion weaken the army while Kerbogha of Mosul approaches with a relief force. Bohemond of Taranto learns that an agent inside the city may provide access through the walls and sends the fictional English knight…

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2. Besieged

Richard Foreman

4.3(380)

Antioch has fallen to the crusaders, but Kerbogha’s army now surrounds the exhausted occupiers. Food is scarce, desertion continues and the besiegers have become the besieged. The discovery of the Holy Lance offers a possible source of unity, while Bohemond of Taranto argues that the army…

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3. Jerusalem

Richard Foreman

4.3(307)

In 1099 the crusading army reaches Jerusalem after years of attrition. The city’s commander Iftikhar al-Dawla has strengthened the defences and expects relief, while the western leaders know that retreat is impossible. Godfrey of Bouillon and Raymond of Toulouse cooperate in the assault but also compete…

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