GET THE *COMPLETE* SERIES OF EXCITING HISTORICAL THRILLERS SET IN THE TIME OF RICHARD THE LIONHEART.
Perfect for fans Bernard Cornwell, Robert Broomall, C.J. Sampson, Simon Scarrow and Adam Lofthouse
PRAISE FOR PAUL
‘Full of action, intrigue and historical insight.’ Richard Foreman
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely outstanding, I could not put this fantastic book down.’ Michelle J.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Mr Bannister’s work is sure to please . . . I can’t wait to learn more!’ CGXV
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Very exciting and interesting book. Bannister brings the characters to life like a bunch of warring rugby players.’ Stephen F.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Earned its five stars.’ Larry J.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book, as those before it of the series, is a rich education.’ Coolfire
IN THIS FIVE-BOOK BOX
BOOK 1: CRUSADER 1165 AD. King Henry II’s health is fading and his heir, Henry, is being readied for the crown. His younger son, Richard, is preparing for the battlefield. Frederick Banastre has grown up hearing of his father’s adventures in the Second Crusade and when he becomes steward for Richard, he sees his own path to glory. The two become firm friends and head to France to quell the uprising and enforce English rule. But when the king and his heir are put in mortal danger, the way is paved for Richard to seize the crown.
BOOK 2: TREASON 1190 AD. Frederick has taken the cross to fight alongside Richard the Lionheart in the Holy Land. But Richard’s younger brother, Earl John, is desperate for the crown. And despite Frederick’s suspicions of treason, John’s royal blood protects him. Before Richard leaves England, he appoints three regents to keep the country under his control. But then Richard receives news that his reign is under threat, his regents have fallen, and John is plotting to seize the crown. Can Richard and Frederick remain steadfast to stop the uprising?
BOOK 3: TEMPLAR 1216 AD. King John is dead and his son, nine-year-old Henry, is on the throne. The two appointed regents are either devious or in failing health. Frederick knows the kingdom is too fragile to withstand another civil war and believes Count Ramon of Toulouse is the perfect choice for regent. Frederick must convince the count to leave France for England. But first he must help Ramon protect his lands from Simon de Montfort’s bloody crusade.
BOOK 4: SIEGE King Henry III, England’s unpopular king, is in danger. Since the Magna Carta the country has been in revolt. Frederick is determined to stop the threats to the young king and protect England. His grandsons uncover a plot to poison Henry and the young de Banastres vow to keep him alive. But the threat to Henry’s throne is a constant battle and the de Banastres must remain strong if they hope to prevent the fall of the monarchy.
BOOK 5: KINGMAKER Thurstan de Banastre is living in dangerous times — the kingdom is desperate to oust the tyrannical king, Henry. The crown jewels have been lost since the time of King John and whoever holds them has the power to anoint a new king.
A recovering journalist who worked for national publications on both sides of the Atlantic, and who has freelanced for magazines worldwide, Bannister began writing historical fiction in 2012 and is still working at the craft.
He authored the autobio 'Tabloid Man & the Baffling Chair of Death' which details his life as the National Enquirer's chief reporter of the paranormal, when he worked worldwide on stories such as the Stanford Research Institute's decade-long investigation into psychic spying; he traveled with astronaut Dr Edgar Mitchell for months during his time founding the Institute of Noetic Sciences and with Guy Playfair during his investigation into the Enfield poltergeist case.
Bannister uses his research and investigative training to provide exhaustive and accurate detail in his Roman and Crusader suites of novels and posits that the hero of 'Arthur Britannicus,' the usurper emperor Carausius (CE 286 - 293) is the real source of the Arthurian legends.
The Complete Crusader Series of five books covers the exploits of one noble Northern English family starting with Frederick a young boy who is taken to the Court of Henry II to train as a warrior. He becomes close friend & companion to Richard I (Lion Heart). Frederick becomes a lifelong supporter Lion Heart, though he did not always agree with the Prince’s (later King) cruel treatment of prisoners or opponents. Frederick “takes the Cross” with Richard, going on a Crusade to the Holy Land. Frederick also has to deal with the treachery of Prince John (Lackland)before Richard’s death & after John becomes King. He must tread lightly to stay on John’s good side, despite Frederick’s hatred of John. Onward time marches & the reader is led through the adventures of four generations of De Banistres as they navigate the palace intrigue, civil war, & the Albigensian Crusade. The action is nonstop & the reader is never quite sure that our heroes will survive. Indeed, survival is never assured. So much of 13th 14th Centuries English & French history is brought to life in these books! Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop!
Linkage is great in this storyline as it fulfills the welsh prophesy of brin crowned in Westminster and as Owen Tudor is my personal hero for his rescuing nurturing and successful invasion (via wales) and taking Richard the thirds crown off the bush at Boswell field Oh! How little England needs a leader of this calibre above the trifling of politics to lead us back to glory again Deus viat
Very good, action, history, family , clans, politics, battlefield horror. Paul done good..., he added the cruelty and anguish to the struggle of the concept of the people vs the elite.!