Because the invaders to our world have been dominant for so long over such a wide area, nobody up in the stars has any damn idea what politics are any more. Using the captured spaceship and the grudging assistance of Branithar, a surviving alien interpreter (taught Latin by a local cleric), they launch a counter-invasion of the evil intergalactic empire, whom they view as the more prolific, Heaven-soiling brethren of the infidels overrunning the Holy Land.
A village contingent of the English army, fully prepped on the eve of leaving, crushes a small alien invasion force, by dint of cunning, superior numbers, and having no EMP-susceptible equipment or depletable bullets/explosives/laser charges - but plenty of reusable arrows, swords, sheer brute strength and a sense of righteous Christian indignation. First published in 1960.Įngland 1345, and Sir Roger de Tourneville has volunteered to help King Edward III in his war against the French. The High Crusade is a humorous Science Fiction novel by Poul Anderson. Just because we use a different sort of weapons, we aren't savages." We're not ignorant of the true Faith, are we? Somewhat more to the point, maybe, while the engines of war may change through the centuries, rivalry and intrigue look no subtler out here than at home. "I'm weary of this whining about our own ignorance and feebleness. "His declensions are atrocious, and what he does to irregular verbs may not be described in gentle company."Hearken, Brother Parvus," said Sir Roger. "I would not say that, sire," I interrupted. "We have one prisoner who speaks Latin - " In one sense this is a kissing cousin to A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain but with a lighter hand and a comic tongue in cheek. It's a nice juggling act, facilitated by having a village priest narrate the story.
At the same time the English characters adhere to the correct cultural standards and thoughts of medieval times. This highly entertaining adventure is really imaginative.
Unexpectedly, they find themselves where no man has gone before.Īfter reading Three Hearts and Three Lions, I went looking for more from Poul Anderson. He intends for the aliens to fly the ship to help vanquish the infidel. But this time they're encountering something new they've launched their invasion against free Englishmen! Sir Roger becomes inspired. The alien Wersgorix are quite expert at taking over planets. A most astonishing event occurs: a huge silver ship descends through the sky and lands in a pasture beside the little village of Ansby in northeastern Lincolnshire. In the year of grace 1345, Sir Roger Baron de Tourneville is gathering an army to join King Edward III in the war against France.
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