Louisa Sidney Stanhope

Louisa Sidney Stanhope. The Crusaders. An Historical Romance of the Twelfth Century.

London:  Minerva Press for A. K. Newman and Co., 1820.

Synopsis of The Crusaders

Volume I

Oswald is a orphan who has spent his youth under the tutelage of the abbot at St. Mary's Monastery in the city of Evesham. One day he has a vision in which a ghostly form tells him to crusade to Palestine and seek his fortune there. Oswald questions whether the vision was meant for him, but knows that it could not be otherwise, because the ghost alluded to a 'bloody arm' and his arm has been mysteriously stained red like blood since birth. At first he is uncertain how to react, but the abbot assures him that it is God's will. Shortly after his other-worldly encounter, a group of knights led by Lord Lincoln (Theophilus Clinton) arrive at the monastery.
Lord Lincoln is an aged knight who is traveling with his knights on the road to Canterbury and from there to Dover where they will sail for the holy land. Among his knights is one Fitz-Harding who befriends Oswald and urges him to join the crusade. Oswald hesitates to leave behind everything he has.

The abbot recounts to Oswald the story of how he was found by Segfrid, a local commoner, after he murdered a knight who had fallen from his horse. He saw that the knight had a jeweled dagger, so he killed him and took it. After the murder he discovered the baby (Oswald) whom the knight had been carrying. Segfrid had confessed the crime to the abbot on his deathbed, having given the child to his wife, Ivetta, to raise.

The abbot encourages Oswald to go on the crusade, urging him not to have mercy on the Muslims. He then gives Oswald the items that Segfrid took from the knight who was carrying him for, including a jeweled dagger and a ruby ring. The abbot concludes by counseling Oswald on how to say goodbye to his adopted mother Ivetta.

Ivetta reacts with great pride when she hears that Oswald is going on the crusade. She tells him to prey for Segfrid if he reaches Jerusalem. She also gives him "two byzants" to give to the priests at Canterbury. Lord Lincoln explains to Oswald that he crusades "to expunge his secret sins" (p.114). Ivetta's other son, named Segfrid after his father, is also called to the crusade, but he is afraid to leave his lover Blanche. Ivetta promises him that when he returns she will bless his marriage to Blanche, so he agrees to accompany Oswald on the crusade. The abbot assures Oswald that Segfrid's love for Blanche is ephemeral and will be forgotten in the holy land.
Before leaving Evesham, Lord Lincoln takes ill. Oswald comforts him while he is sick, assuring him of God's forgiveness. A letter arrives while Lord Lincoln is sick. It reveals that Richard has taken the island of Cyprus from its emperor Isaac and married his betrothed, Berengaria. Lord Lincoln relays to Oswald in grandiose terms the nature of woman as a temptress.

The knights depart, taking Oswald with them. A great storm comes up and they are forced to take refuge at the rundown and lord-less castle of the D'Oiley's. While there Oswald sees a ghostly form move through an abandoned room in the castle. He asks the housekeepers about it, but they deny that anyone else is in the castle. One of the housekeepers, Eldrude, tells the story of the birth of a child with a red arm in the castle. The ghost reappears, chanting, "Woe! Woe! Woe!" and frightening those who had gathered to hear Eldrude's tale. Oswald reveals himself to be the child in the story by showing her his arm. She reveals her suspicion that Oswald's mother was royalty.

The knights leave the D'Oiley's and travel to Canterbury. At Canterbury, Lord Lincoln is wracked by guilt for his sins, but Oswald consoles him. They proceed to Dover where they find ships waiting to take them to the holy land. Segfrid arrives at Dover a fews days after them, bringing with him a letter and gifts from the abbot for Oswald. These include a compliment of sixty men, a horse, and a suit of green armor.

Volume II

Lord Lincoln's ships arrive at Ptolemais, which the Christians have been fighting to claim for two years. Oswald finds a note in the forest saying that the Muslim's eastern ramparts will be weakened during the night. Lord Lincoln takes the note to King Richard and then claims Oswald as a member of his house, bestowing on him the name of Clinton. Oswald is summoned by Richard to tell the story of how he found the note.

Oswald meets Richard, tells his story, and requests to be a part of the attack on Ptolemais. Richard honors Oswald's request and admires his bravery. Oswald leads the charge into Ptolemais, breaching the city defenses. Once inside he meets an Arab Christian disguised as a Muslim. The Arab leads him to a man and woman who are plotting to abduct Princess Norandine, the daughter of Isaac, former king of Cyprus, whom Richard took captive after conquering Cyprus. The woman explains to the man that she will lure Norandine away from the safety of the Christian camp with a tale of pity. The Arab disappears, living behind his vest for Oswald to find.
A carrier pigeon informs the Christians that Saladin's brother Adel will be leading a charge to drive them back from the walls of Ptolemais. A massive battle ensues. Oswald saves Richard's life. Richard rewards him by giving him his sword and knighting him on the battlefield. After the battle Oswald returns to his tent. In the vest of the mysterious Arab Christian he discovers a note telling him that the plot against Norandine will take place at a ruined Mosque late at night. The note is signed "Hamdoullah". Oswald enlists Fitz-Harding's aid in saving Norandine. Meanwhile, Segfrid is wounded in the leg and will be sent home.

Oswald and Fitz-Harding save Norandine from her captors. They return her to the Christian camp. Oswald becomes enthralled by the princess' beauty as he carries her back to safety.

Oswald muses over Norandine's charms. He returns to the ruined Mosque to contemplate her. There he encounters Hamdoullah who tells Oswald that his father is Seyf el Mulouk, an Muslim leader hated by the Christians. He also says that his mother was a devout Christian and that he was cared for by a Christian friend of hers named Abdalmutalif.

Lord Lincoln invites Oswald to the court of Richard's sister, Queen Joan of Sicily. In the meantime he waxes philosophical about the nature of love. At the court Oswald meets Richard, who asks him what reward he would have for his good service. Oswald replies that he would be made a Knight of St. John of Jerusalem. Richard warns him away from the celibate life, but promises that he will do as Oswald requests if Oswald does not find a wife before it is time for him to take his vows.
Hamdoullah makes his way to Oswald's tent and asks him to spare his father's life if they meet in battle. He tells Oswald that he believes his father can be converted to Christianity. Oswald tells Hamdoullah the story of his birth and Hamdoullah is shocked to discover that murders occur within Christian lands. He tells Oswald that Ptolemais is weakened by disease and starvation and ready to be captured by the Christians. Oswald agrees to spare Seyf el Mulouk's life.

Ptolemais surrenders to the Christian forces on July 13th, 1191. Richard rides triumphantly into the city, but when he sees Duke Leopold of Austria's banner flying in the city he orders that it be taken down. Oswald pronounces his disappointment with the Christian practice of slave-taking and the ill treatment of the Muslim people. Oswald and Fitz-Harding search the city in vain for Hamdoullah. Oswald goes to Richard's court and meets Lord Lincoln. One hundred Muslim hostages are brought into the hall and amongst them Oswald spots Seyf el Mulouk.

Volume III

Richard grants Oswald permission to take over the care of Seyf el Mulouk. Oswald goes to Seyf el Mulouk and invites him to convert to Christianity. Seyf el Mulouk interrogates Oswald about Christian principles. Seyf el Mulouk tells Oswald that his sun, Hamdoullah, died in the battle for Ptolemais when he jumped in front of an arrow meant for his father. He also claims that Hamdoullah was a devout Muslim, dedicated to eradicating Christians in the holy land. Oswald attempts to convince Seyf el Mulouk that Hamdoullah was a Christian, but is unable to do so.

On July 31st, 1191, Philip Augustus and the French army leave Ptolemais to return home. On his way to visit Seyf el Mulouk, Oswald is sidetracked into the palace of Berengaria. There he encounters Richard who confesses to him that he loves a woman other than his wife. This causes Oswald to have a minor crisis of faith, as he questions how one as blessed as Richard could be so unable to control his emotions. Oswald returns to Seyf el Mulouk's cell and finds him ill. He administers an elixir and has him moved to a regular room with a soft bed. Oswald then summons Segfrid to aid in caring for Seyf el Mulouk. At first Segfrid protests, but Oswald convinces him that not to aid him would be un-Christian. As Seyf el Mulouk sleeps Oswald prays for his conversion.

Seyf el Mulouk begins to recover, but resists Oswald's further attempts to convert him, despite having dreams that Oswald interprets as Christian omens. Oswald argues with Fitz-Harding that sex and morality are irreconcilable. Then he returns to his tent and finds Richard's minstrel, Blondel, inside. He informs Oswald that Richard wants to see him at Berengaria's palace that night.

Oswald goes to Richard who reveals that it is Princess Norandine who is the object of his affection. He is upset, because she has expressed a desire to take vows at a nunnery on Mount Carmel. Richard says he is worried for her safety on the trip and sends Oswald to deny her request and promise her that she may go when it is safe. Oswald goes to Norandine's chamber and finds Alice de Betune, Norandine's caretaker. Alice tells Oswald that Norandine has retired, but she promises Oswald an audience after the following day's jousting tournament.

At the jousting tournament Oswald easily dispatches all the other riders, until a black knight appears. The black knight removes his helmet and is revealed to be Odo of Burgundy. Oswald unhorses the black knight and receives a scarf from Norandine as his prize. After the tournament, he goes down to the beach to have fond thoughts of Norandine, but encounters Lord Lincoln. He admits to Lord Lincoln that he now believes Norandine to be even more beautiful than Berengaria. Lord Lincoln urges Oswald to be stoic, but Oswald defends his newfound love, arguing that loving a beautiful creature of God is a way of loving God.

Oswald tells Richard that he was not able to see Norandine on the previous day. Richard questions whether Oswald is still stalwart in his religious pursuits and is clearly jealous of the attention Oswald is receiving from Norandine. Nevertheless, Richard sends Oswald to see Norandine again and tell her that she can't go to Mount Carmel. Oswald does this and Norandine reluctantly agrees to remain in the city. In a fit of love, Oswald asks Norandine to name him her champion, describing her as an "Angelic being!" Norandine flees to her private chamber.

Oswald argues with Seyf el Mulouk over the differences between Christianity and Islam. He promises that Seyf el Mulouk can spend eternity with his wife, Cyri-Maria, if he will only convert.

Seyf el Mulouk asks Oswald to teach him Christian principles. He relates a dream he has had in which Cyri-Maria urged him to become a Christian. After leaving Seyf el Mulouk, Oswald comes upon Lord Lincoln kneeling in the mud and decrying the shameful actions of his past. Oswald tries to help him, but Lord Lincoln tells him to leave. Oswald encounters Fitz-Harding and another knight, named de Easterling, who reproach him for not taking a woman from amongst the Muslim slaves.
In her chamber, Norandine recalls her days since the invasion of Cyprus. After the British landed, she was sent to the castle of Cherimes for safety, but it was soon attacked. During the siege she cared for wounded soldiers. When the castle was breached the Earl of Pembroke was the first to find her.

Norandine was informed that her father continued to resist the British invasion at the Castle of Candayra. She was committed to the care of Alice and allowed to meet with her father, Isaac, after he surrendered. During this meeting Richard became enamored of her and decided to take her with him to the holy land. On the ship to the holy land Norandine begged Richard to save a shipwrecked Muslim from the water. He agreed, but the man died anyway. Norandine prayed, and the mans was revived. He cursed her for saving him, which Norandine couldn't understand. They arrived at Ptolemais and Odo of Burgundy quickly became obsessed with Norandine. Norandine sent her own priest to try and convert the Muslim that Richard saved, but the Muslim attacked him. The priest cursed the Muslim, but Norandine urged him to have unlimited patience. Hamdoullah came to Norandine, having heard of her from the Muslim she was trying to convert. He asked her to urge Richard to have mercy on other Muslim prisoners. Mitylene, Norandine's maid, was the one who lured her into the woods from which Oswald and Fitz-Harding saved her.

Volume IV

The Christian troops gather to leave Ptolemais. Lord Lincoln notices Oswald's hesitancy to leave and advises him not to get caught up in love. Saladin sends Abdel Malek to Richard with gifts intended to bribe him into not leaving Ptolemais. Richard sends them back, ordering Oswald to escort Abdel out of the Christian camp unharmed.

Lord Lincoln recounts to Oswald his secrets sins. Lord Lincoln's mother had cloistered herself after the death of his father so Lord Lincoln was raised by a nurse named Mildred. Mildred had one son, Ingleram, who was two years older than Lord Lincoln. Lord Lincoln fell in love with a girl named Adelicia. They were married and she became pregnant. After a time, Lord Lincoln noticed a despondency about Adelicia. Ingleram advised him to be wary of her. With directions from Ingleram, Lord Lincoln discovered Adelicia sneaking out to the chapel during a storm. In the chapel, Lord Lincoln thought he saw a ghost. Ingleram showed him a love letter to Adelicia he claimed to have seen her drop. Lord Lincoln waited for Adelicia and her lover at the chapel. When they arrived he killed them both, but then discovered that the man she was meeting was actually her brother M'Dermot. After a period of several weeks insensibility, Lord Lincoln recovered and learned that Ingleram was behind the plot, driven to it by Adelicia's repeated refusals to love him. Lord Lincoln tells Oswald that the purpose of his crusade is to make it to Jerusalem and there take of the cross and walk the path of Jesus in penance for the murders of his wife and her brother.

The crusaders advance to Lydda. After a day of fighting, Oswald visits Lord Lincoln in his tent. Lord Lincoln recounts a vision he has had telling him that he has only twelve hours to live. He tells Oswald that he no longer believes it necessary that he make it to Jerusalem in order to be forgiven.
At the twelve hour deadline, Lord Lincoln is killed by a javelin. The Earl of Pembroke urges Oswald to use his anger against the Muslims. Joppa falls to the Christians. Lord Lincoln's will reveals his wish to have his heart taken either to Jerusalem or back to England.

Oswald discovers an air shaft that leads to a dungeon beneath Joppa. Together with Fitz-Harding and the Earl of Pembroke, he finds the entrance. There they find and release a single imprisoned Christian.

A ceremonial burial is held for fallen heroes. Oswald meets the Christian whom he saved from the dungeon. He reveals himself to be D'Oiley, owner of the castle where Lord Lincoln's knights had stayed on their way to Canterbury. Oswald tells him of the run-down status of his lands. D'Oiley intones, "Woe! Woe! Woe!" He mentions off-hand to Oswald that he looks a lot like a De Warren (hereditary heirs to the Earldom of Surrey), but Oswald ignores the comment. D'Oiley recounts the story that got him into the Muslim dungeon. When he was a child, a seer told him that his family was cursed and that in the holy land that curse would be fulfilled. After that D'Oiley's father was murdered. Later on, he, his sister (Cyri-Maria), and William De Warren (son of the Earl of Surrey) were on a ship in the Mediterranean that was wrecked by a hurricane. They were captured by Turks and De Warren was killed. D'Oiley became a slave of El Aphzal, ruler of Joppa.

Oswald reveals to D'Oiley that he is the mystery child who was born at D'Oiley's castle. D'Oiley appears to know who Oswald's father is, but refuses to reveal it. Oswald shows him his arm to prove that he is telling the truth. Finally, D'Oiley tells Oswald that his father was William De Warren. D'Oiley identifies the dagger and ring that Oswald carries as gifts from his mother and father, but refuses to name Oswald's mother. The Earl of Pembroke tells Oswald that Norandine (whom Oswald is now suited to marry, by being the hereditary heir to the Earl of Surrey) prays from Oswald as her champion and questions her own interest in going to a nunnery.
During a lull in the war, Joppa is rebuilt. Fitz-Harding suggest to Oswald that Odo of Burgundy was the one who tried to steal away Norandine and that another plot may be in the works.

Richard, attended by a small retainer, falls asleep in a glade outside of the Christian defenses. The Muslims mount a surprise attack. Richard is wounded. Oswald draws the Muslims away from Richard by yelling out that he is the king. Oswald is taken prisoner, but Richard escapes. Oswald is taken to Salidin. Salidin instantly recognizes that Oswald is not the king of England. Abdel Malek is sent to Oswald to try to convince him to become a Muslim. After he leaves, Oswald prays. Abdel Malek returns, bringing with him an Imam who recalls to Oswald another Christian whom he tried to convert-one pulled off of a Turkish ship.

Oswald laments that a ruler as just and noble as Salidin should be the victim of a false faith. Abdel Malek tells Oswald that the Imam's name is Abdalmutalif. The Imam comes again and informs Oswald that he is embarking on a mission to Joppa to warn Norandine of a plot against her. Oswald tells him that Norandine is at Ptolemais and gives him the scarf he won in order to guarantee his passage through the Christian forces. Abdalmutalif leaves. Oswald confesses to Abdel Malek that he has seen "gentleness and moderation" amongst the Muslims. Salidin refuses offers from Richard to buy Oswald's freedom. Oswald is moved to a secret location for safe-keeping.

Volume V

Oswald is put into a cell with a Christian stranger who recognizes his ring. He says that his name is Abdalmutalif and that he has a daughter named Arouya. Oswald lets him see the ring and the man pushes a secret switch on it, opening it up. When he looks inside it, he collapses. Oswald cried out and the guards come and remove the unconscious man. Inside the ring Oswald finds a picture of a beautiful woman. Soon after, Oswald is taken to the chief magistrate, Zeidi Alimanzi. Zeidi lets slip that Oswald is being held in the Castle of Ascalon. He also insists, like Seyf el Mulouk, that Hamdoullah was a devout Muslim.

Oswald is taken to luxurious apartments. A woman comes to take the ring from Oswald, but he says that he will only speak to Arouya-the daughter of the man in the cell. The woman removes her head covering and reveals that she is Arouya. Oswald gives her the ring to give to Abdalmutalif. Shortly thereafter, Zeidi takes Oswald to see Abdalmutalif, who is raving about Oswald's birth. Abdalmutalif reveals that Oswald's mother was Adelais and Abdalmutalif himself is revealed to be Oswald's long lost father, William De Warren, the Earl of Surrey.

Meanwhile, at Ptolemais, Alice tries to convince Norandine to marry Oswald instead of becoming a nun. Norandine is kidnapped.

Back at the Christian encampment, Richard is anxious to rescue Oswald, but his advisers urge patience. Fitz-Harding is sent to ransom for Oswald, but Salidin turns him away. Richard marches to Ascalon and begins to assault the castle. Fitz-Harding rescues Oswald. Together they find a man who looks like Hamdoullah pierced by an arrow. They remove his head coverings and discover that it is Arouya, disguised as a man. Oswald realizes that it was Arouya disguised as her brother who was visiting him all along. Oswald's father charges Oswald not to reveal that his father is alive when he returns to England.

Oswald's father recounts the story leading up to Oswald's being taken in at the convent. The two families of De Warren and D'Oiley had been closely allied. In quick succession the Countess of Surrey died and the Baron D'Oiley was murdered. The Earl of Surrey (William De Warren's father) took over as guardian of D'Oiley's children and sent them (the young Baron D'Oiley, his brother Godfrey, and sister Cyri-Maria) to Holmes Castle to study with William. William fell in love with Adelais, Richard's betrothed. D'Oiley counseled him to end the relationship. William saved Adelais from drowning and she gave him the ruby ring with her picture inside it. They made a plan to marry in secret. D'Oiley tried to dissuade William from the plan, but ultimately agreed to be present at the marriage. William and Adelais married in secret. William and D'Oiley returned home upon receiving news that William's father, the Earl of Surrey, is dying. When the arrived he was already dead. William received an anguished letter from Adelais telling him that she was pregnant. William arranged for her to travel to the lands of the Earl of Warwick, where she could conceal her pregnancy.

On the trip a stag jumped out in front of Adelais's carriage and frightened her. She gave birth to the child two months early and named him William. The boy was given to a nursemaid and Adelais continued on to Elmley, home of the Earl of Warwick. Meanwhile, news arrived that Richard was returning to England. William sent Godfrey to get the baby, hoping that the existence of the child would convince Richard to have mercy on him. Godfrey was killed on the road and never made it back to Dover. D'Oiley, Cyri-Maria, and the elder William De Warren, now Earl of Surrey, set off for France without knowing that the baby had been lost. Their ship was wrecked in a tempest. The Earl of Surrey was taken in by Abdalmutalif, who was kindly to him, but when he got too sick to manage, Abdalmutalif was forced to sell him to a slaver. The Earl of Surrey took Abdalmutalif's name. He was bought by Seyf el Mulouk and reunited with Cyri-Maria who had become Seyf el Mulouk's wife and had a daughter, Arouya. Another slave mistakenly told the Earl of Surrey that Adelais had married Richard. Cyri-Maria died and the Earl of Surrey took over the education of Arouya. Hamdoullah was born to a Circassian slave. Arouya pretended to be him in order to aid the Christians.

Oswald resigns the name of Clinton, which he received from Lord Lincoln, and reestablishes himself as William De Warren. Meanwhile, Fitz-Harding falls in love with Arouya and asks the Earl of Surrey how best to woo her. He replies that Fitz-Harding should press on to Jerusalem and reclaim the holy city. Richard receives news that his brother John has taken control of England. The true Abdalmutalif arrives and is reunited with the Earl of Surrey. He recounts his trip to warn Norandine of danger. After traveling for three days he stopped at a watchtower to rest. A group of horses appeared, bearing Norandine as a captive. An arrow was fired at Abdalmutalif, but it missed him and hit a Christian woman who had come out of the watchtower. The Christians took Norandine into the tower, while the Muslims who had been inside with the Christian woman helped Abdalmutalif to get away. Abdalmutalif offers to lead Oswald to the tower to rescue Norandine. The Earl of Surrey blesses the quest.

On the trip to rescue Norandine Abdalmutalif chastises the Christians for not being peaceful as their God commands. When they arrive, Norandine has already been removed from the tower, but they find the woman who was shot. She turns out to be Norandine's maid, Mitylene. Mitylene reveals that Norandine was taken to the Castle of Darum by Odo of Burgundy, who is now in league with the Muslims. He had broken his army from Richard's in exchange for a promise from the Muslims that they would help him capture Norandine. His counselor, Darleville, kidnapped her to take to Mitylene at the watchtower, which was to be guarded by the Muslims. The presence of Abdalmutalif disrupted the plan and Darleville accidentally shot Mitylene. Abdalmutalif was safely taken away by the Muslims sent to protect the tower. Norandine was taken to Darum and Mitylene left to die. Oswald repeats these details to Richard who immediately orders that they march to Darum. They quickly rescue Norandine and Richard, despite his own feelings, gives her to Oswald.

Everyone returns to Ascalon where the Oswald's father dies. Abdalmutalif departs to wander, spreading good will. Richard tells Oswald to take Norandine, Arouya, and D'Oiley back to Ptolemais. Oswald sends the three of them back on a ship, but stays to fight, along with the Earl of Pembroke and Fitz-Harding. After less than a month, Richard decides to return to England and they march back to Ptolemais. There Oswald meets Segfrid who tells him that Seyf el Mulouk has died, but first converted to Christianity and was reunited with his daughter, Arouya. After sporadic fighting and a three year peace treaty with Salidin, the Crusaders return to England.

Oswald returns to the convent at Evesham and is reunited with the abbot. Then he travels to Elmley and meets his mother, Adelais. She reveals that the ghost Oswald saw at the castle of D'Oiley was the baroness D'Oiley (mother of the current Baron D'Oiley, Godfrey, and Cyri-Maria), but that she died just days before their arrival. Oswald returns to his adopted mother Ivetta and Segfrid returns to Blanche. Richard is captured abroad by servants of the Duke of Austria. The Earl of Pembroke marries Alice. Oswald visits Richard in prison, but he urges him to return to England, marry, and be happy.

On the 13th of March, 1194, Richard is freed and returns to England to be reunited with all of his former crusaders.

-- Prepared by Chris Groskopf, University of Nebraska, April 2006.
© Chris Groskopf, 2006.