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1191 A.D. The orphan Tristan has joined the Knights Templar as a squire, journeying with Richard the Lionheart on his crusade to free the Holy Land from the Saracens. As defeat looms near, Tristan is entrusted with the most sacred of Christian relics, the Holy Grail. He must return it safely to Britain, but he must also keep it secret, because the Grail’s power will drive men to madness, and even his fellow Knights Templar will kill for it.
Tristan teams up with the fiery Robard Hode— returning to his home in Sherwood after serving with the King’s Archers—and Maryam, an equally fierce girl and a member of the dreaded Hashshashin. Together they must escape the Holy Land, dodging bandits, the forces of the Saladin, and unscrupulous knights who will stop at nothing to possess the Grail.
1
Though I am called Tristan, I have no true name of my own. It was Brother Tuck who found me on St. Tristan’s Day, nearly fifteen years ago. He is a kind and gentle man, but a deaf--mute, and unable to even write down for me how I came to be here. The abbot, a much sterner sort, tells me that I was found that August night on the steps of the abbey. A few days old at best, hungry and crying, wrapped in a soiled woolen blanket.
I’m told the sound of horses could be heard riding away through the night, but since Brother Tuck was the first to find me, we know not if he saw or even glimpsed the riders. The abbot said that two of the brothers followed the tracks into the woods but soon lost the trail.
He also thinks I must be of noble blood. No peasant could afford to own such horses, and it is unlikely a poor farmer would abandon an infant that might one day grow strong enough to help him work the farm. Nor would any illiterate peasant likely be able to write the note that was neatly tucked into the folds of my blanket. On a simple scrap of rolled parchment, wrapped with red ribbon, it read, “Brothers: We bestow onto you this innocent child. His life threatens many. Remind him that he was loved, but safer away from those who would wish him harm. We will be watching over him until it is time.”
So whoever left the note must consider me safe now that I am nearly fifteen. For as near as anyone at the abbey can tell, no one has ever come here and asked about or “watched over” me in any way. Perhaps my parents, whoever they are, were unable to fulfill that promise.
The monks were always kind to me, but they were Cistercians and believed that one was never too young to work. I earned my keep there. However, I bore them no ill will, for the monks worked just as hard as I did. I lived at St. Alban’s for all of my life, and my earliest memories were not of the names and faces of the monks, but of chores. We were a poor abbey but grew enough crops and raised enough sheep and goats to get by. Our needs were few. There was wood in the surrounding forest to see us through each winter. The gardens provided us with plentiful vegetables, and the fields gave us wheat, which we turned into bread. If there was ever anything else we needed, the brothers traded for it in Dover or one of the nearby villages.
It was a quiet and calm existence, but the work was endless. The garden was my main contribution to the abbey. Brother Tuck and I tended it from planting in the spring to harvest in the fall. Working the hoe through the soil was quiet work, and gave me much time to think. The garden sat in a sunny spot behind the abbey, and once the rainy spring was over, the weather was usually fine and fair.
Our abbey was on the travelers’ road a day’s ride northwest of Dover. There were thirty monks in service there. Built many years ago it rose up out of the surrounding forest like a small wooden castle. It was simple in its design, because Cistercians are not frivolous, believing man is here to serve God, not adorn his buildings in finery.
Still, it was a comfortable place, inviting and welcoming to the few travelers who passed our way. The main hall where the brothers gathered to dine and pray was well lighted by the windows that rose high in the peaks. The surrounding grounds were neat and well tended, for the brothers believed that keeping things orderly kept one’s mind free to focus on God.
Except for the forest around the abbey grounds, and a trip to Dover three years before, I had seen no more of the world—though that was not all I knew of it. The monks offered shelter to travelers along the road to Dover, and from them I heard things. Exciting things happening in far-off places that made me wish for a chance to leave and see them for myself. Some told tales of wonder and adventure, of magnificent battles and exotic places. Recently, most all of the talk was of the Crusade. King Richard, who some called the Lionheart, carried out his war in the Holy Land, and it wasn’t going well. King Richard had been on the throne for almost two years, and had spent most of his time away from England fighting in the Crusades. He was called the Lionheart because he was said to be a ferocious warrior, brave and gallant, and determined to drive the Saladin and his Saracens from the Holy Land.
The Saladin was the leader of the Muslim forces opposing King Richard. He was said to be as courageous and fierce a warrior as the Lionheart, consumed with ridding the Holy Land of Christians. Even those who said that God was on our side conceded that defeating the Saladin would not be easy.
For the monks, the news from the east was of particular interest. To them, the rise of the Saladin was a signal that the end of days was near. Perhaps the Savior would soon come again.
These were my thoughts, on a clear and sunny day, as I worked beside Brother Tuck in the garden. Brother Tuck was a large man, strong and sturdy, with a generous heart. Though he couldn’t speak, he made a soft humming noise while pushing his hoe through the soil, moving to some rhythm only he felt. He could not hear the riders approach, or the sound of horses’ hooves pounding across the hard ground, or the clang of chain mail and sword as the knights reined up at the abbey gate.
Knights wearing the brilliant white tunics with red crosses emblazoned across their chests. The Warrior Monks. The famous Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon. Known to all as the Knights Templar.
Anonymous
Posted January 17, 2011
Enter a medieval world and be emersed in the Crusade of the Templars of old!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 18, 2011
The Youngest Templar Keeper of the Grail was a heart-pounding, heart- wrenching, and heart-stopping book. It's full of tense battle scenes, young love, and laugh-out-loud comedy right up until the end. Once you get into this series, you'll never want to stop reading! I highly recommend this book to anyone who liked Ranger's Apprentice, Percy Jackson, or Harry Potter. It's a really great read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 19, 2011
This book will have you wanting to know what happens next
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 5, 2011
had me on edge from start to finish
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book was full of action and keep me wanting to read more and more. I did find it lacking in character description and felt as if you didn't get to know the characters as i would have liked. I would highly suggest this book to others it is a great read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 2, 2008
I just finished reading it and it was awesome.I highly encourage you to read this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 10, 2013
This is one of the most well writen books that I have EVER read and I have read thousands of great books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buy the book and you'll thank me!
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Posted May 23, 2012
This book was awesome
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Posted April 29, 2012
Still amazing
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Posted February 29, 2012
Havnt read it yet but my teacher said it is brillant im going to read after i am done reading mocking jay :)
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 27, 2011
Read it last year and loved it. If you havnt read it you need to. Its a great book
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Posted February 24, 2011
This is one of the bests books I've read in a while...it has action, humor and intrigue, and it has an interesting twist to the story of Robin Hood (a story many know and love). The book revolves around Tristian, an orphan raised by monks, who gets an oppurtunity to serve with the Knights Templar. In accepting the offer he embarks on a journey far from home that puts him in the middle of a war and in the mist of people who apparently know who he is.
The book has an amazing perspective (i'm not sure if intentional or not)on how christiandom should be and what it is for many. There is so much there! It's a must read!
I really enjoyed reading this book. Spradlin deftly captures the essence of the adventure and danger of twelfth century for young readers. As Tristan leaves his safe home at the monastery and joins the Knights Templar as a squire, he engages in adventures that he would never before dream of. Sir Thomas offers him the opportunity of a lifetime by taking him to the Holy Land and giving him a strange audience with the King. Sir Hugh, obviously corrupt in some way, does what he can to tempt Tristan ...moreI really enjoyed reading this book. Spradlin deftly captures the essence of the adventure and danger of twelfth century for young readers. As Tristan leaves his safe home at the monastery and joins the Knights Templar as a squire, he engages in adventures that he would never before dream of. Sir Thomas offers him the opportunity of a lifetime by taking him to the Holy Land and giving him a strange audience with the King. Sir Hugh, obviously corrupt in some way, does what he can to tempt Tristan by alluding to the fact he knows about the boy's origins.
As a battle goes horribly awry, Sir Thomas entrusts Tristan with the Holy Grail, which he is to deliver safely back in England. Traveling with it, Tristan finds that it seems to have a protective sort of power in his darkest moments. Along the way he meets the fiery Robard Hode, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the character readers will recognize from the Robin Hood story, and the two of them unwittingly fall into the path of Maryam, who I have a feeling is not quite what she seems.
The most enjoyable part of the story to me is the mysterious aspects of Tristan's background. He seems to make King Richard feel uneasy, and Sir Hugh knows something about how Tristan was left at the monastery. His adventures in getting the Grail to safety are interesting enough, but I have a feeling that there is more in store for Tristan than that simple aspect of the story.
This is a well-written, engaging adventure that will appeal to readers young and old.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 10, 2010
I Also Recommend:
What I liked most about this book is that it took the old Robin Hood myth and turned it on its head. As you read you can pick out some vague details and characters from the Robin Hood we all know but that's about it. Instead, we are greeted with Tristan and his vow to protect the Holy Grail. After a visit from the Knights Templar and the monastery Tristan has grown up in Tristan finds himself vowing to return the Knights most sacred relic, The Holy Grail to England. As he fights his way out of the Holy Land, Tristan meets Robard Hode as he saves him from the assassin Maryam the Maid.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 8, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I am a teacher and just finished reading this with my 13 year-old son. In fact, my son is re-reading the story because he was too excited during the action-packed story to slow down and absorb everything.
I like the fact that Spradlin has been vague about several aspects of a normal story. Triston's background is very sketchy, the villians are slow to reveal themselves, there's a lot of ambiguity as to whom is more interested in the young female assasin, Triston or Robard, and the ending leaves you literally on the edge of your seat with questions.
I think this novel would be a wonderful title to use in teaching reading strategies, especially inference and predicting. And, I would use it to establish a base knowledge of various composition techniques.
Beyond using the book in the classroom, I would definately recommend students (6th+) to read the book for the sheer enjoyment of reading a great story. Plus, Triston is a boy who believes in hard work, honesty, and loyalty which are character traits that we should encourage all young teens to develop.
Tristan doesn' know much about his past. He's been living with monks when a group of the Knights Templar request accommodations. He's asked to become a squire for Sir Thomas, a highly respected knight. However, he's also made a powerful enemy in Sir Hugh. After much decision, Tristan agrees to accompany the knights to Dover and from there to the Holy Lands where they will take part in the Crusade with king Richard the Lionhearted.
Tristan learns how to defend himself as well as some tactical lessons. He's also learned not to say alone often as trouble follows him. He doesn't mind the hard work preparing for the trip. When they arrive in the Holy Land, things change and the battles begin. He learns that practicing and battles are entirely two completely opposite in terms of emotion, danger, and fear.
In a defensive move, when their fort is almost defeated, Sir Thomas hands Tristan the most powerful object in the world and makes him swear to take it back to England at all costs and above all to trust no one. Everyone wants the Holy Grail. Can Tristan get safety back or will trouble follow him still?
A great start to a new series that's half historical fiction and half adventure. A fabulous read! The end left me a huge cliff hanger and now I'm anxious to find out what happened! Plus, I love knights and the Holy Grail.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Cistercian monks have raised the orphan Tristan with love, but in 1191 at almost fifteen years old, he is given the choice of accompanying Knight Templar Sir Thomas as he joins the Third Crusade. Tristan agrees to go with the knight to Outreamer in God's name. Once in the Holy Land, Richard the Lionhearted and Templar Knight Sir Hugh act hostile towards the teen.
In the Holy Land, Tristan participates in the Battle of Acre. However, even at rest he finds Saracens seem to single him out for assassination though Tristan has no idea why they and bandits seek out a nonentity like him. He is fortunate that Robard Hode of Sherwood saves his life from a Saracen assassin Maryam the Maid even as he becomes the bearer of the holiest of relics, which makes him even more of a target from all sides of the dispute.
The first Youngest Templar middle school medieval thriller with hints of fantasy especially the climax is an exciting action-packed tale starring an intriguing young teen protagonist who does not receive a hero's welcome in the Holy Land from either side of the conflict. The story line is fast-paced while also having obvious ties to the modern day Middle East scenario as well as to Robin Hood and the title artifact. Tweeners will root for Tristan (no commentary as to his name) as he struggles with survival while protecting the relic with his life but also wondering why his alleged allies as much as his adversaries want him dead.
Harriet Klausner
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KEEPER OF THE GRAIL is the beginning of a new series by Michael P. Spradlin. Readers might think that an adventure set in 1191 A.D. would be dry, historical reading, but in this case those readers would be totally wrong. Tristan's adventures are anything but dry. Though they may be historical at times, they are packed with one exciting event after another. <BR/><BR/>An orphan raised by a group of monks, Tristan never knew his parents or anything of his history. Now he is faced with taking his vows and remaining at the monastery forever or finding his true calling elsewhere. The decision is made for him one day with the arrival of a group of men on horseback. <BR/><BR/>A regiment of the Knights of the Templar come to the monastery seeking a place to rest themselves and their horses. Tristan is sent to the stables to tend to the horses and that task turns his life upside down. One of the knights, Sir Thomas, approaches Tristan with an offer. He has recently lost his personal squire and is in search of a replacement. Seeing how skillfully Tristan handles the horses, he invites the boy to join the regiment. <BR/><BR/>Although Tristan is reluctant to leave the monks and the only place he has ever called home, he recognizes this as the chance of a lifetime and accepts the position. Suddenly he finds himself headed off with some of the world's most famous knights to fight in the Crusades. <BR/><BR/>Imagine the excitement of a young boy actually meeting the king, King Richard the Lionheart, and learning that he is about to join him in battle. What follows takes Tristan from England to the Holy Land into a battle to save the city of Acre. There are bloody battles with plenty of flying arrows and clashing broadswords as the knights attempt to defend the King's lands. In the middle of all the fighting, Tristan is shocked to discover he is being given the responsibility of guarding the most valuable item imaginable - the Holy Grail. <BR/><BR/>THE YOUNGEST TEMPLAR series is sure to grab the attention of middle grade and teen readers. They will speed through this first book and be anxiously awaiting the second, due out next fall.
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Posted June 3, 2011
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Posted May 13, 2010
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Overview
1191 A.D. The orphan Tristan has joined the Knights Templar as a squire, journeying with Richard the Lionheart on his crusade to free the Holy Land from the Saracens. As defeat looms near, Tristan is entrusted with the most sacred of Christian relics, the Holy Grail. He must return it safely to Britain, but he must also keep it secret, because the Grail’s power will drive men to madness, and ...