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The Celtic Crusades #1
The Iron Lance
Stephen Lawhead is best known for his "Pendragon Cycle" of Arthurian fantasies. His previous novel Byzantium moved him into historical rather than mythological fiction; The Iron Lance confirms this change. It is the story of the First Crusade told by a youth from the Orkneys, a group of islands off the north coast of Scotland.
At 14 Murdo Ranulfson is too young to go on a crusade. But when he and his mother are thrown off their own land by soldiers of Prince Sigurd of Norway, who has claimed the Orkneys, Murdo travels to the Holy Land to fetch back his father and brothers to reclaim their land. He witnesses at first hand the horrors of the Crusade, particularly what Lawhead calls "the rape of Jerusalem".
In common with Lawhead's earlier works there is a strong Christian element to the story, but here the emphasis is on the spirituality of the Celtic monks Célé Dé contrasting with the venality of the Catholic Church of the time. The main story is framed in the late-19th century narrative of a secret religious order descended from the monks, and from Murdo. This is a powerful and well-told story. Lawhead brilliantly captures better than most American writers what feels like the true essence of medieval Britain and Europe. --David V. Barrett
581 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1985
155 people are currently reading
1944 people want to read
About the author
Stephen R. Lawhead
102 books2,744 followersStephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium, Patrick, and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion.
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...
Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.
After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.
He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.
Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.
also write under the name Steve Lawhead
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 12, 2018
Rating: 2* of five
The Publisher Says: In the year 1095, Pope Urban II declared war on the infidel. Kings, princes, and lords throughout Europe have joined the Crusade. To Murdo Ranulfson has fallen the duty of guarding his family's interests while his father and brothers fight to win Jerusalem. But when corrupt clergy prove enemies rather than protectors, Murdo must leave his native Scotland in search of his father.
In the company of monks and warriors, he journeys far beyond the rolling fields of home, beyond the fabled Constantinople and the brooding walls of Antioch, to the Holy Land and the sword points of the Saracens. There, where blood, suffering, and human evil at its most horrifying are shot through with rays of the miraculous, he obtains the relic that will guide his life and the lives of his descendants for centuries. And there he grows from a callow youth to a man, trading cynicism for faith and selfishness for the heart of a leader.
Steeped in heroism, treachery, and the clamor of battle, The Iron Lance begins a remarkable, masterfully woven epic trilogy of a Scottish noble family fighting for its existence and its faith during the age of the Great Crusades -- and of a secret society that will shape history for a thousand years.
My Review: There was a time when I tried, and tried hard, to be a christian. Something alluring about feeling sure you're protected by a big daddy who loves you. But the problem for me is, I have this logical outlook on life and I need stuff to make sense, to follow the rules of storytelling. This religion don't do none o' that, and plus it's riddled with exclusionary language, "moral" justifications for rotten stuff like slavery and incest, and so on and so forth.
Horrible.
This novel is a holdover possession from that period of my life. It's competently written, it's about a period of history I find enthralling, and I hated every single eyeblink I spent on it. There's persuasion and then there's bludgeoning. This is the latter. Had I paid the slightest attention, I would have noticed that the book was published by Zondervan...a christian publishing house. A foolish error on my part.
This review is my reminder to myself: Openness to change is good, but don't get carried away. Borrow from the library. That way the crap that offends you can go back with no damage to your pocketbook.
The Publisher Says: In the year 1095, Pope Urban II declared war on the infidel. Kings, princes, and lords throughout Europe have joined the Crusade. To Murdo Ranulfson has fallen the duty of guarding his family's interests while his father and brothers fight to win Jerusalem. But when corrupt clergy prove enemies rather than protectors, Murdo must leave his native Scotland in search of his father.
In the company of monks and warriors, he journeys far beyond the rolling fields of home, beyond the fabled Constantinople and the brooding walls of Antioch, to the Holy Land and the sword points of the Saracens. There, where blood, suffering, and human evil at its most horrifying are shot through with rays of the miraculous, he obtains the relic that will guide his life and the lives of his descendants for centuries. And there he grows from a callow youth to a man, trading cynicism for faith and selfishness for the heart of a leader.
Steeped in heroism, treachery, and the clamor of battle, The Iron Lance begins a remarkable, masterfully woven epic trilogy of a Scottish noble family fighting for its existence and its faith during the age of the Great Crusades -- and of a secret society that will shape history for a thousand years.
My Review: There was a time when I tried, and tried hard, to be a christian. Something alluring about feeling sure you're protected by a big daddy who loves you. But the problem for me is, I have this logical outlook on life and I need stuff to make sense, to follow the rules of storytelling. This religion don't do none o' that, and plus it's riddled with exclusionary language, "moral" justifications for rotten stuff like slavery and incest, and so on and so forth.
Horrible.
This novel is a holdover possession from that period of my life. It's competently written, it's about a period of history I find enthralling, and I hated every single eyeblink I spent on it. There's persuasion and then there's bludgeoning. This is the latter. Had I paid the slightest attention, I would have noticed that the book was published by Zondervan...a christian publishing house. A foolish error on my part.
This review is my reminder to myself: Openness to change is good, but don't get carried away. Borrow from the library. That way the crap that offends you can go back with no damage to your pocketbook.
May 21, 2020
Книгата преплита три сюжетни линии, които ще си позволя да разгледам поотделно.
Едната се развива в Шотландия в края на 19 век и разказва за живота на обикновен студент, който е инициран в редиците на тайно общество. Само мога да предполагам, че това е загатване за действия в някоя от следващите две книги в поредицата, защото четирите глави обхващащи историята в тази книга, макар и вяло свързани с основното действие, стоят излишни и насилени.
Втората линия се помещава само в първата половина на книгата. Времето е това на първия кръстоносен поход (1096 - 1099) и гледаме през очите на Алексей Първи Комнин. След апела му за помощ срещу Селджукските турци на събора в Пиаченца, папата започва да набира хора за свещен поход. Комнин се сблъсква първо с Петър Отшелника и армията му дрипльовци, после с западните благородници и кръвожадността им всяваща смут в империята. Хронологически прозата е много добре подкована. Имена и дати си стоят бетонирани на място, но Лоухед си е позволил редица волности, които да съм честен са напълно допустими за един исторически роман. АМа едно е да говорим за история пряко свързана с тази на родината ти, съвсем друго е Щатски писател да я използва за завързване на полуизмислен сюжет.
Главната сюжетна линия е за Мърдо - син на дребен северен благородник. Баща му и братята му са призовани да се включат в похода и малкия Мърдо остава да варди семейните имоти. Естествено, църквата има други планове и скоро земята им е анексирана. Мърдо тръгва към Йерусалим, за да открие баща си и заедно да си върнат семейните земи. ТУк вече се отключва целив потенциал на фентъзи писател, който Стивън Лоухед притежава и успява да заплете една доста четивна историческа сага, обвързана с тропите на фетази жанра.
Първата половина едва не ме накара да оставя книгата. За щастие в последствие действието се забърза/завърза и когато стигнах до описанята на битките при Антиохия и Акалон, както и поругаването на Йерусалим от кръстоносците вече четях с кеф и нещата скочиха на три звезди от вече полуогасващата втора.
Ще видим нататък какво се случва с участващите в походите северни войни, но съм леко скиптичен.
Едната се развива в Шотландия в края на 19 век и разказва за живота на обикновен студент, който е инициран в редиците на тайно общество. Само мога да предполагам, че това е загатване за действия в някоя от следващите две книги в поредицата, защото четирите глави обхващащи историята в тази книга, макар и вяло свързани с основното действие, стоят излишни и насилени.
Втората линия се помещава само в първата половина на книгата. Времето е това на първия кръстоносен поход (1096 - 1099) и гледаме през очите на Алексей Първи Комнин. След апела му за помощ срещу Селджукските турци на събора в Пиаченца, папата започва да набира хора за свещен поход. Комнин се сблъсква първо с Петър Отшелника и армията му дрипльовци, после с западните благородници и кръвожадността им всяваща смут в империята. Хронологически прозата е много добре подкована. Имена и дати си стоят бетонирани на място, но Лоухед си е позволил редица волности, които да съм честен са напълно допустими за един исторически роман. АМа едно е да говорим за история пряко свързана с тази на родината ти, съвсем друго е Щатски писател да я използва за завързване на полуизмислен сюжет.
Главната сюжетна линия е за Мърдо - син на дребен северен благородник. Баща му и братята му са призовани да се включат в похода и малкия Мърдо остава да варди семейните имоти. Естествено, църквата има други планове и скоро земята им е анексирана. Мърдо тръгва към Йерусалим, за да открие баща си и заедно да си върнат семейните земи. ТУк вече се отключва целив потенциал на фентъзи писател, който Стивън Лоухед притежава и успява да заплете една доста четивна историческа сага, обвързана с тропите на фетази жанра.
Първата половина едва не ме накара да оставя книгата. За щастие в последствие действието се забърза/завърза и когато стигнах до описанята на битките при Антиохия и Акалон, както и поругаването на Йерусалим от кръстоносците вече четях с кеф и нещата скочиха на три звезди от вече полуогасващата втора.
Ще видим нататък какво се случва с участващите в походите северни войни, но съм леко скиптичен.
April 2, 2011
I came to Lawhead via his much vaunted "Merlin" series. This, is quite a different series, and one in which he excels. More historical than fantasy, I am amazed that Lawhead doesn't have a wider following, as he recounts a riveting tale, populated by fascinating characters.The Celtic series spans some 1,500 pages-and if ps2+3 come up to parr with this first excellent intstallment, then I have much to look forward to, and will be reading the next 2 in quick succession-p2 starting shortly!
Two tales are recounted-the losing of the Celtic lands in Orkney, for the protagonist's family-and the epic tale of the fisrt Crusade to libertate Jerusalem. Although the first tale is short, it adds much to the narrative, and gives us huge empathy for the families involved. Murdo, the youngest son, sets out for the Holy Land to get help from his father and elder brothers, undertaking a tortuous route which takes him a year to complete. En route he befriends three monks of the Cele De-they are vehemently opposed to the traditional church, and their innate goodness contrasts vividly with the Church of the time, and inspires Murdo to help and support them. I suspect this will become more relevant in the subsequent novels, as the "True Path" is established.
Simply, the first part is one of these historical narratives of epic proportions. I was riveted by the entire concept, learned much, and found plot and characters page turning. I adore and thrive on this type of writing, and paln to track down the rest of Lawhead's back catalogue. 5/5 stars does nnot really reflect how much I enjoyed it-and how much I learned.
Two tales are recounted-the losing of the Celtic lands in Orkney, for the protagonist's family-and the epic tale of the fisrt Crusade to libertate Jerusalem. Although the first tale is short, it adds much to the narrative, and gives us huge empathy for the families involved. Murdo, the youngest son, sets out for the Holy Land to get help from his father and elder brothers, undertaking a tortuous route which takes him a year to complete. En route he befriends three monks of the Cele De-they are vehemently opposed to the traditional church, and their innate goodness contrasts vividly with the Church of the time, and inspires Murdo to help and support them. I suspect this will become more relevant in the subsequent novels, as the "True Path" is established.
Simply, the first part is one of these historical narratives of epic proportions. I was riveted by the entire concept, learned much, and found plot and characters page turning. I adore and thrive on this type of writing, and paln to track down the rest of Lawhead's back catalogue. 5/5 stars does nnot really reflect how much I enjoyed it-and how much I learned.
July 25, 2014
-Ceñido a las fuentes pero con toquecitos fantásticos.-
Género. Novela histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. En Escocia, a comienzos de 1899, un anónimo narrador acaba de alcanzar un grado muy alto de iniciación en el Consejo de los Hermanos, sociedad secreta a la que pertenece. A finales del siglo XI, Murdo es un joven de cuna noble del Condado de las Orcadas que, junto a su madre, queda al frente de las tierras y posesiones de la familia cuando su padre y hermanos. En Levunium, el emperador bizantino Alejo I Comneno cabalga al frente de su ejército, asegura la frontera norte y pone su mirada en las tierras perdidas del sur y el este. Primer volumen de la trilogía Las Cruzadas Celtas.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Novela histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. En Escocia, a comienzos de 1899, un anónimo narrador acaba de alcanzar un grado muy alto de iniciación en el Consejo de los Hermanos, sociedad secreta a la que pertenece. A finales del siglo XI, Murdo es un joven de cuna noble del Condado de las Orcadas que, junto a su madre, queda al frente de las tierras y posesiones de la familia cuando su padre y hermanos. En Levunium, el emperador bizantino Alejo I Comneno cabalga al frente de su ejército, asegura la frontera norte y pone su mirada en las tierras perdidas del sur y el este. Primer volumen de la trilogía Las Cruzadas Celtas.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
September 24, 2022
Wow! Action, adventure, loveable characters, hostory lessons, and FAITH! Stephen lawhead seriously knows how to write a story!
August 6, 2009
I've been on a Lawhead kick lately; the "Celtic Crusades" series is another of his I've long put off reading for one reason or another. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I it. While told in third person, Lawhead avoids for the most part the "telling rather than showing" of his characters' emotions and motivations that is the bane of so many writers (and even himself in other books.) The history is fascinating, the plot compelling, and the pacing excellent - especially considering how easy it would have been to get bogged down in the minutia of the long, hard travel between the British Isles and the Holy Land.
The plot itself revolves around the First Crusade and is takes place between ~1096 and 1099. Our main character is from Orkneyjar in the British Isles. While he desperately wants to follow his father and older brothers on the Crusade (although not out of any personal piety), he, only 16 years old, is instead forced to stay behind and hold down the family farm. Through a series of events he ends up chasing after them anyway some months later, and on the way meets up with a trio of monks from a curious sect who claim to guard the "Sanctus Clarus," or "Holy Light." They, and a series of visions he does not seek and only reluctantly acknowledges, end up radially changing the path of his life - unsurprisingly, the title object looms large in his destiny.
What I liked about the book:
The history. Like so many Americans of my generation, all I really knew about the crusades was what they taught in school - namely, "Catholics bad! Crusades Evil!" Lawhead did a good job of not only illuminating some of the complex motivations, but also in avoiding becoming simply one more voice mindlessly echoing the above sentiment. Certainly, the crusaders were as a group fairly ignorant, arrogant, and brutish and behaved in a manner no one could call Christian no matter how great their imagination. But, their enemies were no innocents either. Individual crusaders ran the gamut of pious to pitiless, and some (our hero included) came to quickly abhor the inhuman, hellish violence with which Jerusalem was conquered. Some of the nobles (most notably one who bears my great-grandfather's name of Magnus) were in the own way honorable men willing to right wrongs even for those who could not obviously be of much use to them. Similarly, the church itself was not presented as all bad, although most of the higher-ups were certainly impugned. Our "Cele De" monks were genuinely good people, if still children of their age in many of their opinions, assumptions, and (if you will) superstitions.
What I didn't like: The story's "wrapper" concerns a secret brotherhood who are the modern descendants of the Cele De monks; the Dark-Ages monks themselves would probably have agreed with the label of "secret society." One of them has almost magical powers (although they're only briefly revealed in this volume). Despite the fact these characters clearly had a better grasp on Christianity than the rank in file, the whole thing smelled of Gnosticism. And then, of course, there is the Iron Lance itself. The veneration of icons is something that I've always found disquieting and superstitious and is one of the main reasons I am not myself Catholic. I have a little trouble turning this reaction off and simply accepting the story as it is.
All in all: good, entertaining, and educational. Just don't swallow it whole.
The plot itself revolves around the First Crusade and is takes place between ~1096 and 1099. Our main character is from Orkneyjar in the British Isles. While he desperately wants to follow his father and older brothers on the Crusade (although not out of any personal piety), he, only 16 years old, is instead forced to stay behind and hold down the family farm. Through a series of events he ends up chasing after them anyway some months later, and on the way meets up with a trio of monks from a curious sect who claim to guard the "Sanctus Clarus," or "Holy Light." They, and a series of visions he does not seek and only reluctantly acknowledges, end up radially changing the path of his life - unsurprisingly, the title object looms large in his destiny.
What I liked about the book:
The history. Like so many Americans of my generation, all I really knew about the crusades was what they taught in school - namely, "Catholics bad! Crusades Evil!" Lawhead did a good job of not only illuminating some of the complex motivations, but also in avoiding becoming simply one more voice mindlessly echoing the above sentiment. Certainly, the crusaders were as a group fairly ignorant, arrogant, and brutish and behaved in a manner no one could call Christian no matter how great their imagination. But, their enemies were no innocents either. Individual crusaders ran the gamut of pious to pitiless, and some (our hero included) came to quickly abhor the inhuman, hellish violence with which Jerusalem was conquered. Some of the nobles (most notably one who bears my great-grandfather's name of Magnus) were in the own way honorable men willing to right wrongs even for those who could not obviously be of much use to them. Similarly, the church itself was not presented as all bad, although most of the higher-ups were certainly impugned. Our "Cele De" monks were genuinely good people, if still children of their age in many of their opinions, assumptions, and (if you will) superstitions.
What I didn't like: The story's "wrapper" concerns a secret brotherhood who are the modern descendants of the Cele De monks; the Dark-Ages monks themselves would probably have agreed with the label of "secret society." One of them has almost magical powers (although they're only briefly revealed in this volume). Despite the fact these characters clearly had a better grasp on Christianity than the rank in file, the whole thing smelled of Gnosticism. And then, of course, there is the Iron Lance itself. The veneration of icons is something that I've always found disquieting and superstitious and is one of the main reasons I am not myself Catholic. I have a little trouble turning this reaction off and simply accepting the story as it is.
All in all: good, entertaining, and educational. Just don't swallow it whole.
November 23, 2023
“It is not a pilgrimage, but a war.” Of course it is a war! he thought. There would be no point in going otherwise.
Lawhead at his best. Main plot is excellent historical fiction. Framing stories, not so much. First published in 1985, it reflects nineteenth-century Romantic quasi-heroic with a late twentieth-century conscience. A leavening of the fantastic. Modern readers may miss the nuances.
Miracles, so far as he could tell, always happened to someone else at some other time and in some other place.
Typical of Lawhead tales, the Celts are the bearers and saviors of civilization. Of course, he adds persons and events conforming to his plot. He recreates the culture and times of the crusades as seen predominantly by outsiders—from young Celtics to the Byzantine emperor. The plight of women is the travesty it has been throughout ancient and modern history. Hypocrisy abounds.
“Slaughter fellow Christians out of hand, and call it a … a lamentable incident?” He spat at the feet of the Latin lords. “Barbarians!”
The rape of Jerusalem echoes a thousand years later. Sadly, the ideals of Christianity, chivalry, and honor seldom penetrates deeper than the highest levels of medieval leadership—and not always there. Greed trumps discipline at almost every level. Except certain Celts, of course.
“Give me your sword. Men are forever taking up swords in spiritual battles. They forget who upholds them and delivers them; they trust instead to their own strength, and they fail. I do not want that to happen to you.”
Lawhead at his best. Main plot is excellent historical fiction. Framing stories, not so much. First published in 1985, it reflects nineteenth-century Romantic quasi-heroic with a late twentieth-century conscience. A leavening of the fantastic. Modern readers may miss the nuances.
Miracles, so far as he could tell, always happened to someone else at some other time and in some other place.
Typical of Lawhead tales, the Celts are the bearers and saviors of civilization. Of course, he adds persons and events conforming to his plot. He recreates the culture and times of the crusades as seen predominantly by outsiders—from young Celtics to the Byzantine emperor. The plight of women is the travesty it has been throughout ancient and modern history. Hypocrisy abounds.
“Slaughter fellow Christians out of hand, and call it a … a lamentable incident?” He spat at the feet of the Latin lords. “Barbarians!”
The rape of Jerusalem echoes a thousand years later. Sadly, the ideals of Christianity, chivalry, and honor seldom penetrates deeper than the highest levels of medieval leadership—and not always there. Greed trumps discipline at almost every level. Except certain Celts, of course.
“Give me your sword. Men are forever taking up swords in spiritual battles. They forget who upholds them and delivers them; they trust instead to their own strength, and they fail. I do not want that to happen to you.”
September 1, 2016
I wasn't quite expecting the Knights Templar side story, but it was an interesting story of the Crusades. However, it is so, so, so very Protestant and therefore, the author doesn't always quite have his arms around Catholic piety (I'm pretty sure Lent was observed by this time in the West), the sacraments, and the heroes have an interesting ability to be schismatic.
I have the second of this series around and will probably read it.
I have the second of this series around and will probably read it.
August 10, 2011
This book has all the strengths and weaknesses of a typical Lawhead book. It is creative, original, and somewhat captures the charm of Celtic Britain. The theology is sketchy at best and the narrative occasionally suffers. This book is probably the best in the Celtic Crusades trilogy.
May 5, 2020
This book takes a while to get into, as it starts off at a slow burn, setting the scene for what is going to happen later on. It follows Murdo, whose father and brothers head off on the Crusade to free Jerusalem and the rest of the Holy Land. While they are gone, their estate is forfeited to another Lord and Murdo goes to find them to bring them back and restore their estate. But on the way he falls in with a group of priests that seem different to the other clergy he has come to hate - they preach the The True Path and the Holy Light, and are going to war to recover the Lance that pierced Christ's side. Murdo cares little for their mission, or for the crusades in general, but after his starts to have visions of his own, he is dragged into their cause.
This is a weird mix - I'm not sure what the author wanted to achieve. It's a purely historical fiction, then the supernatural elements kind of distract from the story. If it's a paranormal, mythical fantasy, then there really isn't enough of it to keep interest from flagging. Luckily, as a fan of both genres, I didn't overly mind and enjoyed the story.
This is a weird mix - I'm not sure what the author wanted to achieve. It's a purely historical fiction, then the supernatural elements kind of distract from the story. If it's a paranormal, mythical fantasy, then there really isn't enough of it to keep interest from flagging. Luckily, as a fan of both genres, I didn't overly mind and enjoyed the story.
August 5, 2023
I am a big fan of Stephen Lawhead's fantasy trilogies, having previously read and enjoyed his King Raven trilogy. THE IRON LANCE is the initial book in the Celtic Crusades saga. Set in 11th century Scotland during the Crusades, the historic storyline involves political and religious conflicts and the struggle to find the lance which pierced the side of Jesus. Lawhead is an artist at incorporating prominent historic events in his magical adventures. On to the next installment of the Celtic Crusades.
Read
March 21, 2022I read this in high school. It sparked an enduring interest in Byzantine history in me. However, it's been so long that I can't honestly determine a star-ranking for this novel.
September 18, 2018
This book is the first in a series, but tells a story that is complete in itself. The second and third books pick up with the same narrator and the same family on new adventures.
This book is what I like best about Lawhead - real history mixed in with a fictional story.
There are three stories which are folded together. One is of a man in 1899 who joins a secret society. That story progresses through all three books and the reader quickly realizes that he and his society are related somehow to the earlier story that he is apparently narrating which takes place in the 11th century during the first Crusade.
A second story is of the knights and nobles leading the Crusade and the Holy Roman emperor as the Crusade travels through the emperor's land and on to Jerusalem. We follow the politics of the Crusade which is not yet apparent to the real hero of the book. This second story merges with the third as the Crusade reaches the Holy Land.
In the third story, our unknown hero sets out on a personal quest in the midst of the first Crusade. Murdo has witnessed the theft of his family lands and holdings and so sets out to bring his father home from Crusade to obtain justice for his family, So Murdo must follow him there. It is an interesting adventure with some quirky monks thrown in to lighten the story. Some aspects of the story are to be expected, but the journey getting there is fresh and unique.
Lawhead seems to indict the 11th century church, the nobles and princes, and the horrors of war. The local bishop and abbot are depicted as totally unrepentant corrupt authorities. They steal the land and holdings of those who have gone on holy Crusade and even cast the wives and children out of their homes and practically imprison their wives and small children Many of the knights on Crusade are depicted as ruthless and cruel. While traveling to Jerusalem, the Crusade pilgrims are said to raid towns along the way often killing innocents and destroying property. The leaders, which include church officials, make little apology for their crimes. There is one chapter where the Arabs ruthlessly kill both knights and civilians in brutal ways.
Since the story revolves around Christian characters there is some preaching of Christian values especially trusting in God. The most exemplary characters are members of the Cele De which is a Christian sect, but with hints of Druidism. Most of these characters display excellent behavior, especially in contrast to those around them. These characters have visions and their central focus is the revered relic to which the title refers. This Iron Lance is supposed to be actual spear that pierced the side of Christ on the cross. The white monk of the visions ask Murdo and the priests to establish an isolated kingdom away from the evils of the world where enlightened people can follow the True Path.
There are several chapters that are very difficult to read with explicit war violence laced with descriptions of pillaging and horrible atrocities against civilians by the Crusaders. There is a little romance with a sex scene that is barely described in just a line or two. There is some gutter language.
This book is what I like best about Lawhead - real history mixed in with a fictional story.
There are three stories which are folded together. One is of a man in 1899 who joins a secret society. That story progresses through all three books and the reader quickly realizes that he and his society are related somehow to the earlier story that he is apparently narrating which takes place in the 11th century during the first Crusade.
A second story is of the knights and nobles leading the Crusade and the Holy Roman emperor as the Crusade travels through the emperor's land and on to Jerusalem. We follow the politics of the Crusade which is not yet apparent to the real hero of the book. This second story merges with the third as the Crusade reaches the Holy Land.
In the third story, our unknown hero sets out on a personal quest in the midst of the first Crusade. Murdo has witnessed the theft of his family lands and holdings and so sets out to bring his father home from Crusade to obtain justice for his family, So Murdo must follow him there. It is an interesting adventure with some quirky monks thrown in to lighten the story. Some aspects of the story are to be expected, but the journey getting there is fresh and unique.
Lawhead seems to indict the 11th century church, the nobles and princes, and the horrors of war. The local bishop and abbot are depicted as totally unrepentant corrupt authorities. They steal the land and holdings of those who have gone on holy Crusade and even cast the wives and children out of their homes and practically imprison their wives and small children Many of the knights on Crusade are depicted as ruthless and cruel. While traveling to Jerusalem, the Crusade pilgrims are said to raid towns along the way often killing innocents and destroying property. The leaders, which include church officials, make little apology for their crimes. There is one chapter where the Arabs ruthlessly kill both knights and civilians in brutal ways.
Since the story revolves around Christian characters there is some preaching of Christian values especially trusting in God. The most exemplary characters are members of the Cele De which is a Christian sect, but with hints of Druidism. Most of these characters display excellent behavior, especially in contrast to those around them. These characters have visions and their central focus is the revered relic to which the title refers. This Iron Lance is supposed to be actual spear that pierced the side of Christ on the cross. The white monk of the visions ask Murdo and the priests to establish an isolated kingdom away from the evils of the world where enlightened people can follow the True Path.
There are several chapters that are very difficult to read with explicit war violence laced with descriptions of pillaging and horrible atrocities against civilians by the Crusaders. There is a little romance with a sex scene that is barely described in just a line or two. There is some gutter language.
September 16, 2017
Big thank you to Adam, for recommending a book with my name in the title!
It was really interesting to read a post-grimdark fantasy series in 2016. I could feel the ideas evolving towards a bleaker world-view through the depictions of graphic violence against civilians and the flagrant self-interest of the highest ranking noblemen, although Bohemond and Dalassenus still came over as extremely charismatic figures. It was interesting to contrast this with the major plot resolution which upheld kingly honour and placed the testimony of a young vassal and his mother above that of an influential bishop. A charming "missing-link" novel, combining element of 1980's post-Tolkein honour narratives with the burgeoning demand for more gritty or grey fantasy characters. Very much a relic of its time.
Another element that I really found refreshing was the presence of a disabled love interest for the main character. Ragna was introduced as intelligent first and beautiful second, with both postural and facial deformities arising from an accident when she was a baby. I found this really authenticated the love between Ragna and Murdo, and softened my opinion of the sometime overly-headstong and conservative Murdo. Unfortunately, later in the book Ragna's disability fails to be mentioned and it poses no difficulties for her when she is placed in hostile circumstances, which kind of undermined the originality of the concept for me personally. Still, a great step forwards, I cannot think of a single other book which portrays an attractive disabled female lead.
Yet, why the two star rating? Let me explain my Taranto-esque ruthlessness.
Firstly, there were serious pacing issues with the book. I charge the editors more with this than the author himself, as I feel that some small alterations would have resolved much of the issue. In its current state however, there was a jarring mix of needless hurry, for example travelling overnight or during the hottest part of the day when it would have been more sensible to travel a few hours later, juxtaposed with year-long sea voyages and months of overwintering in which the characters quietly bide their frustration. Would the nature of medieval journeying not teach Murdo a little patience? Still, he is only 18, and I would have accepted his frustration better if it had been incorporated into a more linear build up of suspense throughout the low-action sections of the narrative. Second, I have to deduct a star for some dodgy metaphors. In some places the writing was a little unimaginative. For example, there's a paragraph where sunburn is likened to fire and flame and singing and burning, just a little unimaginative. Similarly, things shine like the sun, blood turns things either black or red with a relentless monotony of prose, and all the noblemen are described in a very similar trite manner.
Okay. Rant over. I really enjoyed the book, the narrative was compelling and the prose absorbing. I have no doubts about picking up the second in the series.
It was really interesting to read a post-grimdark fantasy series in 2016. I could feel the ideas evolving towards a bleaker world-view through the depictions of graphic violence against civilians and the flagrant self-interest of the highest ranking noblemen, although Bohemond and Dalassenus still came over as extremely charismatic figures. It was interesting to contrast this with the major plot resolution which upheld kingly honour and placed the testimony of a young vassal and his mother above that of an influential bishop. A charming "missing-link" novel, combining element of 1980's post-Tolkein honour narratives with the burgeoning demand for more gritty or grey fantasy characters. Very much a relic of its time.
Another element that I really found refreshing was the presence of a disabled love interest for the main character. Ragna was introduced as intelligent first and beautiful second, with both postural and facial deformities arising from an accident when she was a baby. I found this really authenticated the love between Ragna and Murdo, and softened my opinion of the sometime overly-headstong and conservative Murdo. Unfortunately, later in the book Ragna's disability fails to be mentioned and it poses no difficulties for her when she is placed in hostile circumstances, which kind of undermined the originality of the concept for me personally. Still, a great step forwards, I cannot think of a single other book which portrays an attractive disabled female lead.
Yet, why the two star rating? Let me explain my Taranto-esque ruthlessness.
Firstly, there were serious pacing issues with the book. I charge the editors more with this than the author himself, as I feel that some small alterations would have resolved much of the issue. In its current state however, there was a jarring mix of needless hurry, for example travelling overnight or during the hottest part of the day when it would have been more sensible to travel a few hours later, juxtaposed with year-long sea voyages and months of overwintering in which the characters quietly bide their frustration. Would the nature of medieval journeying not teach Murdo a little patience? Still, he is only 18, and I would have accepted his frustration better if it had been incorporated into a more linear build up of suspense throughout the low-action sections of the narrative. Second, I have to deduct a star for some dodgy metaphors. In some places the writing was a little unimaginative. For example, there's a paragraph where sunburn is likened to fire and flame and singing and burning, just a little unimaginative. Similarly, things shine like the sun, blood turns things either black or red with a relentless monotony of prose, and all the noblemen are described in a very similar trite manner.
Okay. Rant over. I really enjoyed the book, the narrative was compelling and the prose absorbing. I have no doubts about picking up the second in the series.
September 10, 2013
Very enjoyable; to me one of the more engrossing books on the Crusades. Lawhead was, if not at the top of his form, very close to it. I feel that honor is reserved for his Byzantium.
Murdo, a young Orkneyman, sees his father and brothers go off on Crusade. To his disappointment, he is left home to take care of land and mother. When venal churchmen, by a trick, steal the family estate and it is now the property of a Norseman, Murdo takes ship for the Holy Land to bring his father back home. He meets three monks of the Cele De, an order with Celtic practices, frowned upon by the official Roman Catholic Church. All Crusaders have to pass through Constantinople on their way to Jerusalem and Emperor Alexios is only too happy to help them pass through his empire. Murdo participates in a quest to recover from the Turks the Holy Lance, the spear that pierced Christ's side at the Crucifixion.
I liked Lawhead's unpretentious style. It was a tad overwrought towards the end, though. The story had three main subplots: that of a Scotsman in Victorian times in a secret society [descended from the Cele De] framing the main action; Murdo's story; that of the Crusade and Crusader States; and that of the wise, shrewd Emperor Alexios, his Drungarios and his Captain of the Excubitori. I got a feel for the Crusades. Descriptions were vivid. Battle scenes and duels were well presented. The characters were likeable. Murdo matures in his thinking in the course of the novel. The three delightful monks give a moral framework to the story and are a stark contrast to the greedy clergy. The novel was very readable.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical novels on the Crusades.
Murdo, a young Orkneyman, sees his father and brothers go off on Crusade. To his disappointment, he is left home to take care of land and mother. When venal churchmen, by a trick, steal the family estate and it is now the property of a Norseman, Murdo takes ship for the Holy Land to bring his father back home. He meets three monks of the Cele De, an order with Celtic practices, frowned upon by the official Roman Catholic Church. All Crusaders have to pass through Constantinople on their way to Jerusalem and Emperor Alexios is only too happy to help them pass through his empire. Murdo participates in a quest to recover from the Turks the Holy Lance, the spear that pierced Christ's side at the Crucifixion.
I liked Lawhead's unpretentious style. It was a tad overwrought towards the end, though. The story had three main subplots: that of a Scotsman in Victorian times in a secret society [descended from the Cele De] framing the main action; Murdo's story; that of the Crusade and Crusader States; and that of the wise, shrewd Emperor Alexios, his Drungarios and his Captain of the Excubitori. I got a feel for the Crusades. Descriptions were vivid. Battle scenes and duels were well presented. The characters were likeable. Murdo matures in his thinking in the course of the novel. The three delightful monks give a moral framework to the story and are a stark contrast to the greedy clergy. The novel was very readable.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical novels on the Crusades.
August 15, 2020
Difficult to put down
The story, which is divided into 4 books, starts with a recitation that sounds like a man being indicted into a lodge of some sort. Every book starts out with a brief recounting of this sort, date 1899.
The story follows a young main named Murdo, youngest son of an Orkney lord. His father and 3 older brothers decide to join the first crusades. A little over half of the lords agree to put their lands under the protection of the Roman Catholic bishop & the abbot; the rest, like Murdo's father, put their estates into the hands of those left behind. Murdo works side by side with the vassals, having the responsibility to bring the harvest in safely. He succeeds. Over Easter, they visit a neighboring isle, where the girl Murdo loves (and who returns his affections) lives with her mother. When they return, spme9ne jas taken their estate from them for beingnin rebeliion against someone whom they don't lnow exists, and they don't know that while they were gone, spmeone conquered the overlords to whom they were loyal. All they can do is return to seek sanctuary with the friends they just left. It is determined that Murdo will seek passage to the Holy Land to find his father and get the mess straightened out. The young couple handfasts and consummates their union. Once Murdo leaves, his wofe learns she is pregnant; her mother dies; she has the baby near Christmas; the baby is only 3 days old when the new lords of the area come, at the insistance of the Roman Catholic ckerics, to evict them in the dead of winter. He alows them to pack a trunk as there are things the new mother and baby will need, and the cleric rages that nothing is to be taken from the house. Fed up, the lord grasps the cleric by the front of the robe, bebrates him for throwing 2 women and a newborn out of the house on the dead of winter, and says that is bad enough without letting them take things they need, and the cleric is silenced.
Murdo's travels to the Holy Land take at least a year. They have to winter ships in various harbors. In the one choaen by his shipmates, Murdo befriends a blacksmith. Murdo is eager and quick to learn and ends up being taught the rudiments of making a Roman spear. He isn't done when the ship leaves, so the blacksmith invites him back to finish it and gives hi a hollowed out oak shaft to put the shaft of the spear. He hides it in the ship and resumes his voyage. On board are 3 monks/priests of the Cele De, the original order of the missionaries who converted the British Isles but are now held in contempt as "heretics" by the Roman Catholic church, which hunts them down and demands they either leave their beliefs or else. But in Scotland and Ireland, they are still preferred by many. Murdo soon discovers these monks are different. Eventually, they find Murdo's father, when he is dying from rampant wound infection. Murdo arrives 8n Jerusalem in time to see the wholesale slaughter of all inhab8tants, 2 groups of which are Christian. Sickened, he leaves the cuty, where blood is flowong through the streets, takes off his blood caked garments (simply from falling on blood slick stones), and a few days later, they find him naked, scratched by thorns, badly sunburned, feet torn open by rocks, in a daze. It os after they find him that they locate his father...who shows him a horde of treasure under his mat. They figure out a way to disguise it as bidies & hide it in the catacombs. Murdo fonds his brothers, who alugh at him for wanting to regain the family estate, saying they can be rich landed nobility there & telling him he can have that "pathetic" piece of land. They retrieve the treasure, but while they are putting it in hiding, Murdo has a vision where he is told he has those riches for a reason - to build a safe haven. A kingdom, where God's people will be safe. When they exit the catacombs, all his wounds are healed.
As they go to leave, there is contention between Western lords & between the Emporer Alexius and the man claiming to be king of Jerusalem. They found the lance that pierced the side of Christ and they started winning battles. This too becomes an area of contention. Murdo very cunningly gets better lands in mainland Scotland from the King of the area himself, and once a few odds and ends are tied up, they return home and take Murdo to where he left his mother & wife, but they're not there and all the people are scared because of Norse raids. Murod confronts the bishop and abbott, finds his wife and mother, but has bad news for his wife: his dad saw her dad and brothers die as well - plus the bews of his father's death and his brothers' scron for the family homestead. He learns of the death of his mother-in-law of feevr. Sonce the king who gave him the landgrant is also k8ng over the Orkneys now, Murdo brings the Roman Catholic bishop and abbott of the Orkneys to the king for judgment, wjich, despite the oily bishop's attempts tp prove himself in the right, goes against him. Murdo has a gift for the Cele De
The story, which is divided into 4 books, starts with a recitation that sounds like a man being indicted into a lodge of some sort. Every book starts out with a brief recounting of this sort, date 1899.
The story follows a young main named Murdo, youngest son of an Orkney lord. His father and 3 older brothers decide to join the first crusades. A little over half of the lords agree to put their lands under the protection of the Roman Catholic bishop & the abbot; the rest, like Murdo's father, put their estates into the hands of those left behind. Murdo works side by side with the vassals, having the responsibility to bring the harvest in safely. He succeeds. Over Easter, they visit a neighboring isle, where the girl Murdo loves (and who returns his affections) lives with her mother. When they return, spme9ne jas taken their estate from them for beingnin rebeliion against someone whom they don't lnow exists, and they don't know that while they were gone, spmeone conquered the overlords to whom they were loyal. All they can do is return to seek sanctuary with the friends they just left. It is determined that Murdo will seek passage to the Holy Land to find his father and get the mess straightened out. The young couple handfasts and consummates their union. Once Murdo leaves, his wofe learns she is pregnant; her mother dies; she has the baby near Christmas; the baby is only 3 days old when the new lords of the area come, at the insistance of the Roman Catholic ckerics, to evict them in the dead of winter. He alows them to pack a trunk as there are things the new mother and baby will need, and the cleric rages that nothing is to be taken from the house. Fed up, the lord grasps the cleric by the front of the robe, bebrates him for throwing 2 women and a newborn out of the house on the dead of winter, and says that is bad enough without letting them take things they need, and the cleric is silenced.
Murdo's travels to the Holy Land take at least a year. They have to winter ships in various harbors. In the one choaen by his shipmates, Murdo befriends a blacksmith. Murdo is eager and quick to learn and ends up being taught the rudiments of making a Roman spear. He isn't done when the ship leaves, so the blacksmith invites him back to finish it and gives hi a hollowed out oak shaft to put the shaft of the spear. He hides it in the ship and resumes his voyage. On board are 3 monks/priests of the Cele De, the original order of the missionaries who converted the British Isles but are now held in contempt as "heretics" by the Roman Catholic church, which hunts them down and demands they either leave their beliefs or else. But in Scotland and Ireland, they are still preferred by many. Murdo soon discovers these monks are different. Eventually, they find Murdo's father, when he is dying from rampant wound infection. Murdo arrives 8n Jerusalem in time to see the wholesale slaughter of all inhab8tants, 2 groups of which are Christian. Sickened, he leaves the cuty, where blood is flowong through the streets, takes off his blood caked garments (simply from falling on blood slick stones), and a few days later, they find him naked, scratched by thorns, badly sunburned, feet torn open by rocks, in a daze. It os after they find him that they locate his father...who shows him a horde of treasure under his mat. They figure out a way to disguise it as bidies & hide it in the catacombs. Murdo fonds his brothers, who alugh at him for wanting to regain the family estate, saying they can be rich landed nobility there & telling him he can have that "pathetic" piece of land. They retrieve the treasure, but while they are putting it in hiding, Murdo has a vision where he is told he has those riches for a reason - to build a safe haven. A kingdom, where God's people will be safe. When they exit the catacombs, all his wounds are healed.
As they go to leave, there is contention between Western lords & between the Emporer Alexius and the man claiming to be king of Jerusalem. They found the lance that pierced the side of Christ and they started winning battles. This too becomes an area of contention. Murdo very cunningly gets better lands in mainland Scotland from the King of the area himself, and once a few odds and ends are tied up, they return home and take Murdo to where he left his mother & wife, but they're not there and all the people are scared because of Norse raids. Murod confronts the bishop and abbott, finds his wife and mother, but has bad news for his wife: his dad saw her dad and brothers die as well - plus the bews of his father's death and his brothers' scron for the family homestead. He learns of the death of his mother-in-law of feevr. Sonce the king who gave him the landgrant is also k8ng over the Orkneys now, Murdo brings the Roman Catholic bishop and abbott of the Orkneys to the king for judgment, wjich, despite the oily bishop's attempts tp prove himself in the right, goes against him. Murdo has a gift for the Cele De
August 14, 2014
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I have read it several times now; I probably read it once every other year or so [not quite once a year]. I think it has a good flow to it, overall. It was very descriptive in parts; it also helped me see the Crusades in a new light. So that was good.
The basic gist of the plot is this: a young man [Murdo] is unable to go on one of the first Crusades with his father and older brothers. Not realizing how large the world truly is, he anticipates his father and brothers returning within the year while he takes care of their homestead with his mother. Their lands are 'illegally' seized and they are forced to flee for their lives to a friend's hall. The young man decides he will find his father and brothers and return them home to right the horrific wrong done to him; he has a fly-by-night wedding with his beloved and leaves the next day. Along the way he encounters some monks who are trying to reach their benefactor-king to act as his advisers. Murdo's travels and directions coincide with the priests' journey, and along the way he learns bits and pieces about the Cele De, a mysterious order that claims to protect and share 'the True Light.' Upon reaching the Holy Land, Murdo makes it to Jerusalem in time to watch the city be sacked by the Crusaders. He eventually finds his father and brothers before returning home with a treasure beyond compare. He has many experiences, some of which are mystical in nature and some of which are spiritual in nature; through them, he decides to create a safe haven for the Cele De because of the example they have set before him. He returns 'home' to his wife and his mother, his king having granted him new land holdings after discovering how Murdo's family lost their original land holdings and hall.
The story alternates between 'the modern times' [say, late 1800s/early 1900s] and Murdo's story. The story in the 'modern times' involves a descendant of Murdo's joining a mysterious group that seeks to protect and disseminate 'the Truth' in dark and perilous times; it is secretive because other forces [dark forces] in the World would seek to destroy them. I do not know how necessary these four [five?] forays into the 'future descendant' helped the book or story as a whole; it could have been done without. But as I tend to read this book on a regular basis and not the last two books in the series, perhaps I have forgotten how the author ties it all together at the end of the third book.
I think Lawhead also does a nice job describing Imperial life in Byzantium and the Eastern Empire [for lack of a better word]. So many people do not realize the Eastern Half of the former Roman Empire lasted much longer than the Western Half and stood as a bastion in the path of the Moors and Barbarians that prevented these groups from spreading into Europe. It was interesting to read about the different Crusader lords as well as Emperor Alexius - not one of them seemed to be a stereotypical character without any type of depth to them. Instead. each character was unique and different; sure, there were some similarities [which would make sense due to a similar upbringing] but each Crusader lord was uniquely different, which I felt added to the story.
The Sack of Jerusalem was horrendous and really opened my eyes to the horrors of the Crusades. I had no idea that essentially EVERYBODY was killed in Jerusalem [due in part to Crusader ignorance and due in part to the Crusaders not taking the time to figure out who 'the Enemy' truly was]. It was a very disturbing set of chapters in the book [which is what I am sure Lawhead was intending]. Perhaps it is the result of growing up in a private school, but unlike other reviewers I have read, I grew up believing the Crusades were a noble endeavor to free the Holy Land from Islamic oppressors and to protect pilgrims who wished to visit sites and towns seen as holy by Christians. It was not until I attended college that I learned how much the Crusades are despised by other people and are now seen as a blot [among many, unfortunately] on Christianity. I still remember the shock and horror of how I felt after reading about the Sack of Jerusalem the first time; it still grieves me each time I read about it.
My tangential opinion: But enough of my soap box.
I have to admit, the first time I tried reading this book I quit before I started reading Murdo's story. The whole 'modern preface' thing about a future descendant joining some kind of secret, quasi-mystical society was a bit much for me and EXTREMELY BOOOOORING!!!!! Once I started reading about Murdo's adventures, I enjoyed the book. So what I would do whenever I re-read the book was that I would skip over the 'modern stuff' to get to 'the good stuff.' Lately, though, I read the whole book. I'm sure if I read the three books consecutively I'd have a better appreciation about the whole 'future descendant's storyline' thing going on, but maybe I wouldn't.
I liked how Murdo stayed true to himself and his core beliefs. I also liked how he transformed over the course of the book, how the monks from the Cele De transformed his life by the living testimonies of their own lives. I felt this was one of the better parts of the book, and very believable [even despite some of the mystical encounters / visions that took place].
I loved how the three monks interacted with each other, especially when they were trying to be deceptive without lying or breaking any of the Commandments. They made a great team! Hilarious beyond belief! Some of their arguments/discussions were also rather funny to read. We mock the logic of those who lived 1000 years or so ago, but our 'modern-day logic' can be rather stupid/illogical, so perhaps we should not mock them too much. Their logic was based upon what they know; our 'modern logic' oftentimes seems bent on ignoring what we know in a pathetic attempt to seem PC or more acceptable. Granted, their logic wasn't as funny as Arthur's discussion with Sir Bedevere [about what floats on water in conjunction with how much a woman weighs, and how if she weighs as much as a duck, she can float, which means she's made of wood, which means she's a witch, and can [logically] be burned].
I think the book also does a great job showing how and why the deep animosity Muslims feel toward Christians started, on the one hand, and why they were [are] worried about Western forays into the Middle East being the harbingers of new 'Christian Crusades' against them. At the same time, I rarely read about Christian terrorists hijacking airplanes or killing innocent people [strangers] just to make some kind if bizarre political point. Anyway. Lawhead does a great job describing the animus, fear, and worry that the conquering rulers felt in regard to the surrounding countryside once the Crusader armies returned home. Not only did the Crusaders have to worry about attacks from the Muslims, they also had to worry about retaliation from the Christians, Copts, Jews, and Arabs [as well as other members of the diverse population in the region] after the indiscriminate killings inflicted by the Crusaders.
I definitely liked this book [and the full series] better than the Pendragon cycle or Dragon King series. The Empryion Saga still has a warm spot in my heart as the first set of Christian fiction [sci-fi] books I ever read. But I think this book [and this series of books] shows how Stephen Lawhead has grown as an author and improved upon his storytelling abilities.
The basic gist of the plot is this: a young man [Murdo] is unable to go on one of the first Crusades with his father and older brothers. Not realizing how large the world truly is, he anticipates his father and brothers returning within the year while he takes care of their homestead with his mother. Their lands are 'illegally' seized and they are forced to flee for their lives to a friend's hall. The young man decides he will find his father and brothers and return them home to right the horrific wrong done to him; he has a fly-by-night wedding with his beloved and leaves the next day. Along the way he encounters some monks who are trying to reach their benefactor-king to act as his advisers. Murdo's travels and directions coincide with the priests' journey, and along the way he learns bits and pieces about the Cele De, a mysterious order that claims to protect and share 'the True Light.' Upon reaching the Holy Land, Murdo makes it to Jerusalem in time to watch the city be sacked by the Crusaders. He eventually finds his father and brothers before returning home with a treasure beyond compare. He has many experiences, some of which are mystical in nature and some of which are spiritual in nature; through them, he decides to create a safe haven for the Cele De because of the example they have set before him. He returns 'home' to his wife and his mother, his king having granted him new land holdings after discovering how Murdo's family lost their original land holdings and hall.
The story alternates between 'the modern times' [say, late 1800s/early 1900s] and Murdo's story. The story in the 'modern times' involves a descendant of Murdo's joining a mysterious group that seeks to protect and disseminate 'the Truth' in dark and perilous times; it is secretive because other forces [dark forces] in the World would seek to destroy them. I do not know how necessary these four [five?] forays into the 'future descendant' helped the book or story as a whole; it could have been done without. But as I tend to read this book on a regular basis and not the last two books in the series, perhaps I have forgotten how the author ties it all together at the end of the third book.
I think Lawhead also does a nice job describing Imperial life in Byzantium and the Eastern Empire [for lack of a better word]. So many people do not realize the Eastern Half of the former Roman Empire lasted much longer than the Western Half and stood as a bastion in the path of the Moors and Barbarians that prevented these groups from spreading into Europe. It was interesting to read about the different Crusader lords as well as Emperor Alexius - not one of them seemed to be a stereotypical character without any type of depth to them. Instead. each character was unique and different; sure, there were some similarities [which would make sense due to a similar upbringing] but each Crusader lord was uniquely different, which I felt added to the story.
The Sack of Jerusalem was horrendous and really opened my eyes to the horrors of the Crusades. I had no idea that essentially EVERYBODY was killed in Jerusalem [due in part to Crusader ignorance and due in part to the Crusaders not taking the time to figure out who 'the Enemy' truly was]. It was a very disturbing set of chapters in the book [which is what I am sure Lawhead was intending]. Perhaps it is the result of growing up in a private school, but unlike other reviewers I have read, I grew up believing the Crusades were a noble endeavor to free the Holy Land from Islamic oppressors and to protect pilgrims who wished to visit sites and towns seen as holy by Christians. It was not until I attended college that I learned how much the Crusades are despised by other people and are now seen as a blot [among many, unfortunately] on Christianity. I still remember the shock and horror of how I felt after reading about the Sack of Jerusalem the first time; it still grieves me each time I read about it.
My tangential opinion: But enough of my soap box.
I have to admit, the first time I tried reading this book I quit before I started reading Murdo's story. The whole 'modern preface' thing about a future descendant joining some kind of secret, quasi-mystical society was a bit much for me and EXTREMELY BOOOOORING!!!!! Once I started reading about Murdo's adventures, I enjoyed the book. So what I would do whenever I re-read the book was that I would skip over the 'modern stuff' to get to 'the good stuff.' Lately, though, I read the whole book. I'm sure if I read the three books consecutively I'd have a better appreciation about the whole 'future descendant's storyline' thing going on, but maybe I wouldn't.
I liked how Murdo stayed true to himself and his core beliefs. I also liked how he transformed over the course of the book, how the monks from the Cele De transformed his life by the living testimonies of their own lives. I felt this was one of the better parts of the book, and very believable [even despite some of the mystical encounters / visions that took place].
I loved how the three monks interacted with each other, especially when they were trying to be deceptive without lying or breaking any of the Commandments. They made a great team! Hilarious beyond belief! Some of their arguments/discussions were also rather funny to read. We mock the logic of those who lived 1000 years or so ago, but our 'modern-day logic' can be rather stupid/illogical, so perhaps we should not mock them too much. Their logic was based upon what they know; our 'modern logic' oftentimes seems bent on ignoring what we know in a pathetic attempt to seem PC or more acceptable. Granted, their logic wasn't as funny as Arthur's discussion with Sir Bedevere [about what floats on water in conjunction with how much a woman weighs, and how if she weighs as much as a duck, she can float, which means she's made of wood, which means she's a witch, and can [logically] be burned].
I think the book also does a great job showing how and why the deep animosity Muslims feel toward Christians started, on the one hand, and why they were [are] worried about Western forays into the Middle East being the harbingers of new 'Christian Crusades' against them. At the same time, I rarely read about Christian terrorists hijacking airplanes or killing innocent people [strangers] just to make some kind if bizarre political point. Anyway. Lawhead does a great job describing the animus, fear, and worry that the conquering rulers felt in regard to the surrounding countryside once the Crusader armies returned home. Not only did the Crusaders have to worry about attacks from the Muslims, they also had to worry about retaliation from the Christians, Copts, Jews, and Arabs [as well as other members of the diverse population in the region] after the indiscriminate killings inflicted by the Crusaders.
I definitely liked this book [and the full series] better than the Pendragon cycle or Dragon King series. The Empryion Saga still has a warm spot in my heart as the first set of Christian fiction [sci-fi] books I ever read. But I think this book [and this series of books] shows how Stephen Lawhead has grown as an author and improved upon his storytelling abilities.
March 29, 2024
Lawhead drops a notch below Pendragon & Albion. (3 stars)
In the Celtic Crusades trilogy, acclaimed Christian fantasy writer Stephen Lawhead again tries his hand at historical fiction, just as he did in his successful Byzantium. The adventure revolves around Murdo Ranulfson, whose brothers and father leave Scotland to join one of the eleventh century Crusades to rescue Jerusalem from the infidel. When usurpers confiscate his home and property, Murdo leaves his native land and his new bride Ragna, to find his father and brothers and call them to return home and restore their property. Together with three mysterious priests, his quest takes him to the center of the crusaders’ action in sacking Jerusalem in 1099, where he soon becomes part of the search for the iron lance, the relic which apparently pierced Christ’s side and now seems to magically guarantee the crusaders victory. Juxtoposed with Murdo’s personal quest, is the much larger and epic story of the crusade.
In place of Lawhead’s usual fantasy, “The Iron Lance” instead is full of historical adventure. But unfortunately Lawhead doesn’t succeed in this effort at historical fiction to the same extent as he did in “Byzantium”. There are too many loose ends, coincidences, and implausibilities. Unlike some of his other efforts, here the bad guys are neatly vanquished and the good guy gets the gold, the glory, and the girl. The Iron Lance lacks the deep and contrasting passions of glory and tragedy that I came to love from the Pendragon Cycle and the Song of Albion trilogy. Also the framing device about Gordon Murray who is initiated into a mystical nineteenth century secret society of brotherhood has little obvious connection with the rest of the book.
Ultimately this is a rather incredible historical adventure set in medieval times, somewhat too good to be true, where you must suspend you sense of disbelief to enjoy the plot, somewhat similar to Louis L’Amour’s “The Walking Drum” but without the same success in execution and failing to live up to its potential.
Certainly there are some aspects that redeem this book. The portrayal of the crusades is fascinating for those interested in medieval times. Lawhead is not afraid to
show the corruption that existed within the ritualistic church of the time, and the brutality and bloodshed of the crusades. But amidst all the religion and the politics, this book lacks the personalities, the passion and the plot that made some of his other works so successful, and compared with them is only second rate. Newcomers to Lawhead would do better to start with Byzantium, or the Pendragon Cycle and the Song of Albion trilogies. I hope the other two entries in this series will rise to the heights Lawhead has reached in the past with those titles.
In the Celtic Crusades trilogy, acclaimed Christian fantasy writer Stephen Lawhead again tries his hand at historical fiction, just as he did in his successful Byzantium. The adventure revolves around Murdo Ranulfson, whose brothers and father leave Scotland to join one of the eleventh century Crusades to rescue Jerusalem from the infidel. When usurpers confiscate his home and property, Murdo leaves his native land and his new bride Ragna, to find his father and brothers and call them to return home and restore their property. Together with three mysterious priests, his quest takes him to the center of the crusaders’ action in sacking Jerusalem in 1099, where he soon becomes part of the search for the iron lance, the relic which apparently pierced Christ’s side and now seems to magically guarantee the crusaders victory. Juxtoposed with Murdo’s personal quest, is the much larger and epic story of the crusade.
In place of Lawhead’s usual fantasy, “The Iron Lance” instead is full of historical adventure. But unfortunately Lawhead doesn’t succeed in this effort at historical fiction to the same extent as he did in “Byzantium”. There are too many loose ends, coincidences, and implausibilities. Unlike some of his other efforts, here the bad guys are neatly vanquished and the good guy gets the gold, the glory, and the girl. The Iron Lance lacks the deep and contrasting passions of glory and tragedy that I came to love from the Pendragon Cycle and the Song of Albion trilogy. Also the framing device about Gordon Murray who is initiated into a mystical nineteenth century secret society of brotherhood has little obvious connection with the rest of the book.
Ultimately this is a rather incredible historical adventure set in medieval times, somewhat too good to be true, where you must suspend you sense of disbelief to enjoy the plot, somewhat similar to Louis L’Amour’s “The Walking Drum” but without the same success in execution and failing to live up to its potential.
Certainly there are some aspects that redeem this book. The portrayal of the crusades is fascinating for those interested in medieval times. Lawhead is not afraid to
show the corruption that existed within the ritualistic church of the time, and the brutality and bloodshed of the crusades. But amidst all the religion and the politics, this book lacks the personalities, the passion and the plot that made some of his other works so successful, and compared with them is only second rate. Newcomers to Lawhead would do better to start with Byzantium, or the Pendragon Cycle and the Song of Albion trilogies. I hope the other two entries in this series will rise to the heights Lawhead has reached in the past with those titles.
October 21, 2025
This has been the oldest book on my to-read list for years now, so it feels somewhat monumental to see it taken off that shelf. But also, there is a reason it floated there for 16 years. It really wasn't worth hunting down.
I remember when I added it to my shelves. I read Hood and its series for book club back in the day and really enjoyed it, so added a bunch of Lawhead to my to-read list. But honestly none of them have really been worth the initial hype I had for the author. (I bought the Robin Hood trilogy after that book club, perhaps it's time for a reread to see if they hold up).
For this book specifically, it feels bloated, listless, and the main character doesn't really do much except spectate on big events. He somehow grows up a bit by the end of the book, but I'm a bit lost on what triggered that in him except for the visions that he randomly received. He mostly goes on a long journey to the crusade, witnesses the horrors, manages one feat of very unimpressive thievery, and comes back. A lot of chapters didn't involve him and were the politics going on with the big players of the crusade, which were needed for the background of things but which dragged. things. on. It needed to find a main character that blended those two narratives for a more cohesive story. The most interesting part by far was the more modern story that dealt with an offshoot of the True Path, but we get a whole 6 chapters on that without much plot or resolution and honestly it doesn't tie in enough to understand why it was included.
It looks like future books don't even focus on the main character and are instead about future generations of the family, which makes this book feel like it doesn't even work as a set up for future character development and exploring the history more indepth.
I remember when I added it to my shelves. I read Hood and its series for book club back in the day and really enjoyed it, so added a bunch of Lawhead to my to-read list. But honestly none of them have really been worth the initial hype I had for the author. (I bought the Robin Hood trilogy after that book club, perhaps it's time for a reread to see if they hold up).
For this book specifically, it feels bloated, listless, and the main character doesn't really do much except spectate on big events. He somehow grows up a bit by the end of the book, but I'm a bit lost on what triggered that in him except for the visions that he randomly received. He mostly goes on a long journey to the crusade, witnesses the horrors, manages one feat of very unimpressive thievery, and comes back. A lot of chapters didn't involve him and were the politics going on with the big players of the crusade, which were needed for the background of things but which dragged. things. on. It needed to find a main character that blended those two narratives for a more cohesive story. The most interesting part by far was the more modern story that dealt with an offshoot of the True Path, but we get a whole 6 chapters on that without much plot or resolution and honestly it doesn't tie in enough to understand why it was included.
It looks like future books don't even focus on the main character and are instead about future generations of the family, which makes this book feel like it doesn't even work as a set up for future character development and exploring the history more indepth.
April 8, 2020
This is historical fiction, very well written, and I think, well
resourced.
The central character is a 16-year-old boy left behind in the
Orkney Islands, when his father and two brothers leave to
fight in the crusade to take back Jerusalem from the Arabs.
Because the family farm property has been taken over by
Norwegian settlers, apparently with the approval of the
church, the boy leaves to find his father for his help in
getting back the property.
The description of the crusaders and pilgrims on the
way is detailed and interesting, particularly as they
enter the kingdom os Istanbul.
The actual fighting in Jerusalem is horrific. Obviously,
the chief aim of the soldiers is to rob Jerusalem of its
wealth for their personal gain. So they proceed to kill
all Muslims and Jews and Christians in order to seize
their jewelry, money, and whatever else they can take
home. The description is brutal.
For the boy, there is sadness, and he leaves alone to
go home, where he finds the church has taken over
many lands of the the crusaders.
There is a happy ending, but only after the horrors
committed by the greedy.
resourced.
The central character is a 16-year-old boy left behind in the
Orkney Islands, when his father and two brothers leave to
fight in the crusade to take back Jerusalem from the Arabs.
Because the family farm property has been taken over by
Norwegian settlers, apparently with the approval of the
church, the boy leaves to find his father for his help in
getting back the property.
The description of the crusaders and pilgrims on the
way is detailed and interesting, particularly as they
enter the kingdom os Istanbul.
The actual fighting in Jerusalem is horrific. Obviously,
the chief aim of the soldiers is to rob Jerusalem of its
wealth for their personal gain. So they proceed to kill
all Muslims and Jews and Christians in order to seize
their jewelry, money, and whatever else they can take
home. The description is brutal.
For the boy, there is sadness, and he leaves alone to
go home, where he finds the church has taken over
many lands of the the crusaders.
There is a happy ending, but only after the horrors
committed by the greedy.
June 21, 2025
"The Iron Lance" by Stephen Lawhead is the first in a series titled "The Celtic Crusades." It is the story of a young man who is left home to take care of the family's holdings in Scotland while his brothers and father join the Crusade to free Jerusalem in 1095.
Young Murdo stepped up and was successfully managing things - until the church steps in to assist. After being displaced, Murdo and his mother move to the estate of family friends - where the childhood friendship with the daughter blossoms. But alas, a greedy clergy steps in again and young Murdo has had enough. He leaves on a ship of Norse warrios and a trio of monks to find his father and brother to bring them back to reclaim their home. Through his longer than expected journey to Jerusalem via Constanople and Antioch, Murdo grows in confidence, wisdom, and leadership.
A rousing tale in the style of Lawhead - a sprig mystery, a dash of romance, unexpected herosim, and characters who are more than they expected. As usual, not everything is as it seems. And the biggest, unexpected mystery of all, a hidden, ancient organization that shapes world history. [5/5]
Young Murdo stepped up and was successfully managing things - until the church steps in to assist. After being displaced, Murdo and his mother move to the estate of family friends - where the childhood friendship with the daughter blossoms. But alas, a greedy clergy steps in again and young Murdo has had enough. He leaves on a ship of Norse warrios and a trio of monks to find his father and brother to bring them back to reclaim their home. Through his longer than expected journey to Jerusalem via Constanople and Antioch, Murdo grows in confidence, wisdom, and leadership.
A rousing tale in the style of Lawhead - a sprig mystery, a dash of romance, unexpected herosim, and characters who are more than they expected. As usual, not everything is as it seems. And the biggest, unexpected mystery of all, a hidden, ancient organization that shapes world history. [5/5]
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October 23, 2025Scotland, 1095. While his father and brothers follow Pope Urban II's call to win Jerusalem from the infidels, Murdo Ranulfson stays behind to guard his family's interests. But when his home is confiscated by greedy usurpers, Murdo is forced to follow the Crusades himself. Hoping to find his father and redeem his family's land, Murdo sets off on a journey that leads him to the Mediterranean -- the heart of civilization now threatened by barbarian hordes -- and on to the fabled city of Constantinople and beyond, to the Holy Land. Amidst brutality and ambition, Murdo discovers what he seeks -- and obtains a relic that will guide him and his descendents for centuries. Rich in heroism, treachery, and adventure, The Iron Lance begins an epic trilogy of a Scottish noble family fighting for its existence and its faith during the age of the Crusades -- and of a secret society whose ceremonies will shape history for a millennium.
June 6, 2022
die geschichte spielt ca. im 11. jhd in skandinavien und es geht um murdo, dem jüngsten sohn einer angesehenen familie. die kirchr ruft zur befreiung des heiligen landes (jerusalem) vor den ungläubigen auf und murdos vater und brüder machen sich mit vielen anderen auf den weg dorthin.
murdo und seine mutter werden vom bischof von ihrem hof vertrieben und kommen bei murdos späterer gattin unter. murdo geht schließlich auch nach jerusalem um seinen vater zu finden damit dieser ihnen hilft ihren hof wieder zu erlangen. er erlebt dabei viele abenteuer und kehrt irgendwann wieder zurück.
ich fand das buch recht spannend und auch gut geschrieben. stellenweise kann es zwar etwas langweilig werden, aber das ist normal bei so dicken büchern.
alles in allem würd ich es wahrscheinlich nochmal lesen, weil ich so geschichtsromane generell mag.
murdo und seine mutter werden vom bischof von ihrem hof vertrieben und kommen bei murdos späterer gattin unter. murdo geht schließlich auch nach jerusalem um seinen vater zu finden damit dieser ihnen hilft ihren hof wieder zu erlangen. er erlebt dabei viele abenteuer und kehrt irgendwann wieder zurück.
ich fand das buch recht spannend und auch gut geschrieben. stellenweise kann es zwar etwas langweilig werden, aber das ist normal bei so dicken büchern.
alles in allem würd ich es wahrscheinlich nochmal lesen, weil ich so geschichtsromane generell mag.
March 13, 2018
The story of Murdo and the back story of the modern secret society worked pretty well - but the politics of Crusader and Byzantium were uninteresting, simplistic and faulty moralism. Lawhead can write pretty well with an engaging story and the idea of the Lance isn't a bad one, but if it is going to be set within real history then the reality must be convincing and its just not. I also have to wonder about the tangent a supposedly Christian fantasy writing is taking all this... dangerously veering towards some kind of Gnostic cult I fear.
July 30, 2020
Even though I mainly read fantasy these days, I started out loving historical fiction... and every time I pick one up, I remember why that was, and think I have to read more of it, and this book was no exception. I loved the combination of the nordic characters (Orkney, Viking like types) and crusades and the Middle East. The conquest (and slaughter) of Jerusalem was not softened, and was maybe even nauseatingly written (but I'm afraid that was the way it was). I liked how smart Murdo was in pretty much everything he was doing, and I really hope we'll see more of him in the next books.
February 7, 2024
What a story full of action and suspense! I was a bit disappointed in the bedroom scene near the beginning, and a lot of the war scenes were too gory for me and I had to skim over them. There were things that I didn’t love, but my favorite part was learning more about the Crusades in general. I know very little about them, and now I want to dig deeper into the topic and find out more about the details behind such a horrible part of “Christian” history. I’m not sure if I liked it enough to go on in the series or not.
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December 7, 2017I have to admit I read his book around 2000 and remember very little other than that I really enjoyed all 3 books in the trilogy and it was about several generations of k Igor’s fighting in the crusades. There was also a bit of a supernatural element in it. I was reading a book recently that reminded me a bit of a series I read back in high school and after a bit of research I remembered this was the series I was thinking of haha.
April 28, 2018
I've had some pretty big wins choosing orange. found a great hairdresser because of the colour of his chairs, for example. When trying to work out why I picked up this book in the 1st place, all i can come up with is that it's cover is orange. this isn't the kind of book i usually read; but then who chooses to read slow, ponderous dirge. stay away, stay well away. having said that, did learn some history from a time I have no interest in.
April 9, 2021
3.5 rounded up
There was a lot I really liked about this book! Great characters and exciting adventure were definitely there. However, this book was very long and felt unnecessarily dense. Historical details, while fascinating to me, were rampant and occasionally stole away from the plot line in my opinion. Still, I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction! (Chrissy you would hate this hahaha)
There was a lot I really liked about this book! Great characters and exciting adventure were definitely there. However, this book was very long and felt unnecessarily dense. Historical details, while fascinating to me, were rampant and occasionally stole away from the plot line in my opinion. Still, I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction! (Chrissy you would hate this hahaha)
July 13, 2017
Interesting read on the Crusades and those who participated from the Northern Isles. I found this book interesting and absorbing most of the time. However, there were parts which dragged on like all the emporer playing mind games with the various Lords. Oh well, I found those parts boring but the rest was more than okay. Murdo, Emlyn and company were entertaining. Now on to Book Two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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