Defender of Jerusalem is the
second novel in Helena P. Schrader’s historical series about Balian
d’Ibelin, a twelfth century crusader who rose from his position as a
landless second son to become one of the most powerful figures in the
kingdom of Jerusalem. In Schrader’s previous novel about Balian
d’Ibelin, readers watched his young adulthood and rise to power at the
side of the young leper king, Baldwin.
Now the Baron of Ibelin, a
nobleman in his own right, Balian is married to Maria Comnena, the
dowager Queen of Jerusalem and King Baldwin’s stepmother. Balian proves
to be a dichotic leader as he was a forged-in-battle warrior and a
supremely capable diplomat.
Thus, Schrader’s story becomes one
about Balian’s family life, focusing more on an ensemble cast of
characters than just on Balian himself. As the Christian kingdom of
Jerusalem struggles to maintain order and fend off the advances of
Salah-ah-Din’s forces, the characters are scattered throughout the
kingdom. This makes for a more fragmented plotline than in the previous
installment, thereby reflecting the internal and external political
conflicts of the time along with the clash of cultures. There are
several time jumps and switches in perspective throughout the work that
may make it feel less cohesive, but they add to the authenticity of the
era’s fractured communications.
The story at the center of the
novel is King Baldwin’s desire to find an appropriate heir before his
inevitable demise due to leprosy. With no clear path of succession,
there is much court intrigue around this decision. It often comes down
to the women in his life to influence his decisions or make their own
way, and it is here that Schrader’s work really shines.
The
author presents her female characters, notably Maria, her daughter
Isabella, and Balian’s niece, Eschiva, as powerful, independent women
unwilling to let the constraints of the time keep them from helping the
kingdom. Maria even commands troops and keeps her people safe during a
siege. These vibrant women make what could be a strictly dry,
historical narrative leap off the page.
Schrader clearly knows
her history, so devotees of medieval history will enjoy her occasional
indulgence in the details of her research, focusing on troop movements
or treaties rather than the characters. Schrader effectively strikes a
balance between the need for historical accuracy and readability in the
dialogue. Nevertheless, her writing deftly portrays the gamut of
emotions of this turbulent time.
Defender of Jerusalem is a
well written biographical novel about a little known hero of the
Crusades, Balian d’Ibelin, as he attempts to maintain power and order in
the face of invading armies and the internal conflicts within
Christendom.
Schrader brings interesting and vivid historical
characters to life by adding emotion and valor to her storytelling.
Overall, readers who enjoy learning about the intricacies of the
Crusades and prefer serious and well-researched historical fiction will
relish Schrader’s novels.
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