Song of Madeleine. A Crusader's Chronicle with Eleanor of Aquitaine on the Second Crusade.
Mary Bolton
iUniverse
2002
ISBN: 0-595-21648-X
354 pages.
Available online at iUniverse and Barnes & Noble

"This was the test: to move about or die."

Song of Madeleine is a fictional account of the real pilgrimage taken by Queen Eleanor and 300 women of her court. Who, despite objections, accompanied her husband, King Louis of France, on the Second Crusade. The two-year journey from Paris to the Holy Land is chronicled by the title character, Madeleine of Gascony.

It is an exploration of geography, and of the landscapes between peoples. Men and women. Christian and Moslem. Of the deep divisions between groups. And the idea that they may be bridged by individuals.

It is also a wonderful adventure. If you enjoy stories of danger and daring, with a splash of romance, you will love Song of Madeleine. Well-written and well researched, the characters and the settings they move through are very real.

The reader is immediately drawn in by the conflict between Eleanor and those who would prevent her from traveling with her husband. Ms. Bolton's clear prose moves the story along quickly, yet rich description gives the reader a full picture of events, people, and places.

The story can be seen to represent a journey from childhood to adulthood. It begins as a gay adventure. The women taking delight in clothing and merriment, blushing glances at handsome knights, exercising their hawks. As they travel further from home, they must confront more serious situations. Madeleine especially grows as a character, her pilgrimage becoming a quest for meaning and purpose.

I would recommend Song of Madeleine to those who are interested in the Crusades, in the role of women in the Christian faith, and to anyone seeking an engaging tale of adventure.

And to the editors who have kept this story from us until now... shame on you.