Blondel's Song

The story of Richard the Lionheart's return from the Crusades and his capture in Austria

David Boyle

The capture, imprisonment and ransom of Richard the Lionheart

David Boyle tells us about the extraordinary events surrounding Richard the Lionheart's disappearance. But, above all, he tells us the story of Blondel, Richard's faithful minstrel, and his journey across central Europe - singing under castle towers - until he finds the missing king.

Blondel's Song is the tale of one of the most peculiar incidents of medieval history. And, in giving us the background to the real Blondel and his fellow troubadours, David Boyle shows us the courts of love, the Holy Grail, the emergence of Gothic cathedrals like Notre-Dame and Chartres, and that unique moment of tolerance in the West - when Europe shared a language, and a new culture of music, romance and chivalry.