Book Review: Brethren: An Epic Adventure of the Knights Templar

A book precious to the Knights Templar is stolen. A persistent schism fuels strife between rival religious warriors in the Holy Land, itself a political prize between Christians and Muslims. A father’s mind and heart war over duty to his Order and bitter grief. A novice knight in training chooses between his love for a French queen’s handmaiden to the French queen and duty to his Order. Political and religious intrigue interlaces their stories.

Thirteen-year-old Scottish-born Will Campbell is a knight in training with the warrior-monks of the Knights Templar, guardians of pilgrims settling in Syria and Palestine. His father, James Campbell, in grief and anger at Will, sells his estate to the Templar Order to take on a secret mission with the infidels. Baybars Bundukdari, commander of the formerly-enslaved Mamluks in Egypt, strives to protect his lands both from invading Mongols and the infidels from France and England. English Prince Edward, heir to Henry III, manipulates the monarchy to his own will. Elwen, daughter and niece to Knights Templar, looks to follow her own heart about love and her future.

“Brethren” chronicles these four main characters in the twelve years around the abortive Eighth Christian Crusade, 1260-1272. During that time, Will’s route to knighthood does not go as he wishes, thwarted by both his father’s absence and his tutor’s intransigence in fully admitting him to the Order.

No plot line is fresh or surprising in this book. What makes the book enjoyable is the rich and accurate detail of medieval life, fleshed out by both realistic fictional characters and actual historical figures. The story does not push the rectitude of the Christian Crusades on the reader, but presents the ideals and peccadillos of both religious viewpoints. “Brethren” is well worth reading.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, A. Rolfingsmeier