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Via Crucis: A Romance of the Second Crusade is a historical novel by F. Marion Crawford, first published in 1899. Set during the Second Crusade (1147-1149), the story blends romance, adventure, and historical drama against the backdrop of religious conflict and medieval chivalry.
The novel follows the intertwined fates of Gilbert Warde, a young Norman knight, and Beatrix, a noblewoman. After enduring personal tragedies and political turmoil, Gilbert joins the Second Crusade, led by King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of Germany. Along the way, he encounters love, betrayal, and the brutal realities of war.
Via Crucis remains a well-regarded historical romance. It captures the grandeur and tragedy of the Crusades while delivering a compelling personal story.
About the Author
Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was a prolific American writer, best known for his numerous novels and classic weird and fantastical stories. Born in Italy, he spent much of his life abroad, particularly in Italy, which became the setting for many of his works.
Crawford was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. He received a diverse education, studying at St. Paul's School, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. In 1879, he traveled to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Upon returning to America, he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals.
His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, Mr. Isaacs (1882), which quickly achieved success. This was followed by Doctor Claudius (1883). In 1883, he returned to Italy, where he resided permanently, eventually purchasing and remodeling the Villa Renzi, which became Villa Crawford, in Sant'Agnello. He also wrote historical works, including Ave Roma Immortalis (1898) and The Rulers of the South (1900).
Crawford was incredibly prolific, producing some forty novels and a play. At the height of his career, his books outsold those of any other contemporary fiction writer in England or the United States. He died in 1909 in Sorrento, Italy.
