Knights of the Cross by Tom Harper

This document contains excerpts from "Knights of the Cross" by Tom Harper, a historical novel published in 2006. The text features a fictional narrative told from the perspective of Demetrios Askiates, a Greek observer, amidst the First Crusade's siege of Antioch. It weaves together elements of a mystery, as Demetrios investigates murders within the Crusader camp, with descriptions of the brutal realities of medieval warfare, famine, and political intrigue among the various Christian factions and their interactions with their Muslim adversaries. The author's historical note confirms that while the story is fiction, it remains faithful to the general facts and chronology of the actual siege, including the finding of the Holy Lance and the ultimate Crusader victory.