Crusader

by Nigel Tranter

This novel is 13th-century Scottish history as seen through the eyes of the young man who sought to guide the child king Alexander III to maturity and to keep his throne.

Genres: Historical Fiction

356 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Nigel Tranter OBE was a Scottish historian and writer. He was the author of a wide range of books on Scottish castles, particularly on themes of architecture and history. He also specialised in deeply researched historical novels that cover centuries of Scottish history.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story of how David Lindsey of Luffness, minor laird, became the companion to child-king Alexander III, King of Scots, and sought to look after his monarchs best interests. This is part of the Cospatrick series as David is related to the Cospatrick Earls of Dunbar. He introduces Alexander III to goose hunting and the king spends quite a bit of time down by Aberlady Bay with David's family. There is woman that watches after the king who is reputedly his half-sister Margaret, however the only illegitimate daughter that I've been able to find is married to Alan Durward, Earl of Atholl, who is plotting to legitimize her as Alexander's heir. That doesn't go over well. In this book the plot is outed just after Alexander's marriage to Margaret Plantagenet, Henry III of England's daughter and he's in Scotland when their first child is born. In True Thomas also by Tranter, Alexander is in England for the birth of his first child and later the Durward outing takes place when Alexander achieves his majority. Some consistancy problems but still a good book

[Mary Kellogg]

Having read Enovy Extraordinary previous to reading Crusader,it's basically the same story just told from a different point of view. With the main character(Cospatrick & David de Linday) in each story being the hero to save King Alex from captivity.. both good stories in their own versions.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and Envoy Extraordinary cover much of the same events but from different points of view, often conflicting.

This book should be read before Envoy Extraordinary if you wish to keep to a true chronological reading of Tranter Novels.

[gerard mcdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read

Interesting view of the lifestyles and politics of this snapshot of Scottish history. A good light read that I enjoyed.

[michael chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Nigel Tranter novel

Fantastic account of the early life of one Scotlands greatest monarch.Love his work and I wish there were more writers like him these days

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappoined with this. I expected far more about the education of Alexander 111 from David his mentor, upon whom this novels centres. It was interesting in that it was very factual-whether geographically/politically/historically, etc. But the entire novel read like a litany and list of events and happenings. A touch of humour was also attempted (and failed miserbly)-with the apparent obsession of the king for goose hunting.This was overpalyed time and again, and really lent nothing to the narrative.

There was very little action, a weak plot, which was held together chronologically alone. Hugely disappointed all round-Tranter normally writes much better than this. I simply couldn't wait to get to the end of it.

[Archie Ferrier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Nigel Trantor's better offerings but still a good read.