Birth of the Kingdom

Birth of the Kingdom
Jan Guillou

The third volume of the crusades trilogy from bestselling Swedish author Jan Guillou.Arn de Gotha has become one of the most feared warriors of the Knights Templar fighting to liberate Palestine with the Crusaders.At the great battle for Jerusalem, a mammoth and bloody struggle where the Christians were finally defeated, Arn is saved from certain death by Saladin, his longtime enemy and trusted friend. Ravaged by wounds and sickness, Arn is at last granted his wish: to return at last to his homeland, it plagued by endless wars.Arn is determined to find her - the woman for whom he was exiled. He must discover if their love could endure so long a separation, and if it can sustain his new quest: the create a new people, a new society, both Christian and Muslim, both craftsmen and warriors, with Arn at its helm, fighting for peace in a savage land.A fitting conclusion to a great trilogy, a bestseller all over Europe, and now the basis for a major film.

Birth of the Kingdom

The Crusades Trilogy

Jan Guillou

Translated by Steven T. Murray

‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions’

Jacula Prudentum, 1651, no. 170

‘We who are strong are obliged to help the weak with their burdens, and should not think of ourselves. Each of us must think of his neighbour, of what is good and edifying.’

Romans 15:1-2

Table of Contents

Cover Page (#u3eff3c31-94a8-5a4f-927e-9132632d9fc7)

Title Page (#u370266e7-0a3d-53b8-ab30-eb1aeb2c7eb2)

Epigraph (#ub71a2150-73f3-500c-83c4-faab7e4ef7c8)

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS (#u901d148d-e2b4-5c6d-b564-fc22aab65352)

Map (#ud8f61368-1c84-5de3-91f2-251b481a8bde)

ONE (#ub38ab167-12fe-5a25-85c2-a2a5f69c5b36)

TWO (#uee47d8cb-9b64-5343-9e9c-19250f962998)

THREE (#u6aebbff4-b618-5d9b-bcef-547266502c8a)

FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)

The Crusades Trilogy (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS (#ulink_ae7a6d6d-fea6-5aa3-9764-ac7406b0b261)

THE FOLKUNG CLAN

Magnus Folkesson

Erika Joarsdotter, his wife and Arn’s stepmother

Sir Arn Magnusson

Cecilia Algotsdotter, betrothed and then wife of Arn

Magnus Månesköld, Arn and Cecilia’s son

Ingrid Ylva, his wife

Birger Magnusson, their son, Arn’s grandson, who becomes Birger jarl, King of Sverige, the new Sweden

Alde Arnsdotter, Arn and Cecilia’s daughter

Eskil Magnusson, Arn’s brother

Torgils, Eskil’s son

Birger Brosa, Arn’s uncle

Sune Folkesson

THE ERIK CLAN

Knut Eriksson, King of the Swedes and the Goths

Cecilia Blanca, his wife and close friend of Cecilia Rosa

Erik jarl, their son, later King Erik