Soldiers of Christ
Jon Byrne
Type: ARC
Genre: Historical fiction, medieval adventure
Word count: 115,000
Warnings: Graphic violence, swearing
1205. Exiled from England, Richard Fitz Simon joins the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, a brotherhood of warrior-monks fighting on the Baltic pagan frontier. Though celebrated in battle, jealous rivals and powerful enemies threaten his place. As dark secrets resurface and tensions erupt on a deadly mission, Richard must confront faith, loyalty, and the cost of his chosen path. Please note: this book is part of a series, and a series synopsis will be provided.
What’s this?
In a land torn by crusade and rebellion, honour is earned in blood.
1205. Richard Fitz Simon has fled England after his title was usurped, joining the Livonian Order of Swordbrothers – a German brotherhood of warrior-monks fighting to bring the word of God to the pagan frontier. After slaying the Lithuanian champion at the Battle of Rodenpois, Richard is celebrated by the Order and their Semigallian allies.
Yet his position remains precarious. Jealous rivals question his right to stand among the brotherhood, and his master, Knight-brother Rudolf, is enraged by Richard’s disobedience. When dark secrets from Lübeck resurface, Richard also finds himself at odds with Bishop Albert, head of the Christian mission in Livonia. As he struggles to reconcile faith, duty and identity, he is drawn into a brutal world of suspicion and bloodshed.
Sent on an expedition to build a castle deep in the wilderness, Richard soon sees tensions erupt – and the path he has chosen threatens to destroy everything he has fought to become.
Jon Byrne, originally from London, now lives with his German family by a lake in Bavaria with stunning views of the Alps. As well as writing, he works as a translator for a local IT company and occasionally as a lumberjack. He has studied the medieval world for over twenty years, building up a comprehensive personal library and a particular interest in the often-overlooked Northern Crusades.
Soldiers of Christ is Book Two of The Northern Crusader Chronicles, a gritty, historically grounded series focused on realism, moral ambiguity, and the brutal realities of medieval warfare.
Registration closed.
Only ARC team members can mark as completed.
Only ARC team members can log a review.