King Harald III "Hardrada" (the Ruthless/hard council) of Norway was one of the last great warriors of the Viking age. In a career that lasted over 30 years he fought in nearly ever corner of the known world, from the cold lands of the Viking "Rus" (Russia) to the sun drenched shores of Sicily in the service of the Byzantine Emperors personal bodyguard (the Varangian guard). In 1066 A.D the hero of a thousand battles embarked on his final campaign to conquer the Kingdom of England, which would decide the fate of the Island of Britannia.

In 1095 Pope Urban II called upon all of Christendom to take up arms and liberate the Holy land from the Saracens. The First Crusade "The Norman Crusade" was led by Bohemond, son of Robert Guiscard the Norman Conqueror of Southern Italy and Sicily and Robert Duke of Normandy, son of King William the Conqueror of England. In an epic 3000 mile journey the Norman Crusaders would suffer the most intolerable conditions, destroy countless enemies and capture Jerusalem creating the Kingdom of Heaven.

Follow in the footsteps of Richard the Lionheart. One of the most renowned warrior heroes of all time. In the age of Robin Hood this book will bring to life Richard's "Last War" to recover and hold together the Angevin Empire in France. Betrayed by Philip King of France after his return from the Crusades Richard's last campaign evokes all the emotion and courageous chivalry which earned him the nickname Coeur de Lion / Lionheart

During the 9th and 10th centuries Viking raiders from Scandinavia terrorised most of Europe. North Western France suffered increased invasions when by 911 A.D King Charles III "the simple" of France ceded the land from the river Epte to the sea to Rollo's Viking war band. Normandy "land of the North-men," was created. For the next 150 years the iron Dukes of Normandy created one of the most feared and organised Principalities in Medieval Europe.