Book 1 of The Northern Crusader Chronicles
Historical Adventure
Date Published: 28th November 2024 (book/ebook) Audiobook: Approx. February 2026
Publisher: The Book Guild
Narrator: Kerry Hutchinson
Run Time: 12 hours and 2 minutes
1242: Wounded at the Battle on the Ice, English knight Richard Fitz Simon becomes a prisoner of Prince Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod. Intrigued by his captive, Alexander orders his scholar to record Richard’s life story.
Richard’s chronicle begins in 1203, when betrayal shatters his training for knighthood and forces him to flee England. In Lübeck, he finds work with a ruthless salt merchant and becomes entangled in an illicit affair – until scandal and violence drive him onward once more.
Seeking purpose, Richard joins the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, a militant order bent on bringing Christendom to the pagan Baltic. In the harsh outpost of Riga, he faces not only enemy tribes beyond the walls, but suspicion, ambition, and betrayal within – while grappling with doubts that threaten his faith.
When a vast pagan army threatens to overwhelm the commandery, Richard must choose what kind of man – and believer – he will become.
Sword Brethren is Book One of The Northern Crusader Chronicles, a gritty, historically grounded series focused on realism, moral ambiguity, and the brutal realities of medieval warfare.
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
I would say that research is probably the hardest part. Sword Brethren
is set in the early 13th century and many of the towns and cities in
the book are very different to how they would have been at the time. For
example, in Lübeck – which plays a big part in the book, virtually none of the
original buildings have survived (apart from a couple of churches and the
Lübeck Cathedral which was under construction at the time). All the other main
‘sights’ in the city, including the Salzspeicher and Holstentor Gate, were
built later. Many buildings were also made of wood which means they have not
survived the passage of time.
Nevertheless,
researching the background is also one of the most enjoyable aspects of writing
historical fiction. I
believe strongly in getting historical details correct, and this sometimes made
it challenging. I also visited all the locations in the book, from East Anglia
to Lübeck and Riga and I enjoy the research trips – they are always a good
excuse for a holiday.
What are your most played songs?
I grew up in
the UK during the 80s and 90s, which was a great time for music. My taste has
greatly expanded as I’ve got older – I no longer listen to so much punk, and my
rave days are well behind me! But I am a big fan of folk music, especially when
it has a bit of energy and a fiddle, so anything from the Pogues to the
Levellers. But I rarely listen to any music when I’m writing.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
Yes.
I use a service that finds beta readers that are interested in historical
fiction as well as several people I use myself. Afterwards, I have an editor
that has helped on all my published books so far, who will do a line edit and
give his opinion on the book. The publisher also copy-edits the final draft.
What book are you reading now?
I am
listening to an audiobook at the moment: Invictus (Eagles of the Empire 15) by
Simon Scarrow – an action/adventure set in Roman times.
How did you start your writing career?
I’ve been
writing in some shape and form for most of my life. But it was when I was
living in India about twenty-five years ago that I wrote my first book, a
fantasy novel. When I returned home, I attempted to get it published, sending
it off to agents and getting the usual rejections.
I then wrote
two further fantasy novels, the last being a monster of nearly 200,000 words,
neither of which I ever attempted to publish. All of this I consider having
been my apprenticeship, but I decided I would rather write historical fiction,
having studied medieval history for over twenty years and building up a
comprehensive library of books. Sword Brethren is the first novel I have
had published.
Tell us about your next release.
Book
2 in The Northern Crusader Chronicles, Soldiers of Christ, was published
in April 2026 and it continues the story – this time set entirely in medieval
Livonia (now Latvia and Estonia).
I
am currently writing the final couple of chapters in the third book in the
series, Clash of Faith. I hope to have it edited and ready to send to
the publisher by early 2027.
About the Author
The Northern Crusader Chronicles is a gritty, historically grounded series focused on realism, moral ambiguity, and the brutal realities of medieval warfare.
Written for readers who value authenticity and atmosphere over romanticised adventure, the novel explores a largely forgotten crusading frontier, culminating in the first of many confrontations in a harsh wilderness of forest and swamp.
Readers who enjoy the historical detail of authors such as Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden, or Ben Kane may find familiar ground here.
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