Badass Israeli: The first humans they meet on their recontact with Earth hundreds of years later is a starfaring Israeli Empire.Battle Couple: Sir Roger and Lady Catherine.Poul Anderson usually got history correct (from what was known then) but apparently didn't know flat earth belief in the Middle Ages is a myth (among the educated people at least). However, that was actually well known by educated Medieval people (monks like him being at the forefront of education).

Artistic License – History: Parvus is portrayed as astonished when Branithat says the Earth is round, though he's aware of the idea from the ancient Greeks, and thinks it's absurd at first.Alternate History Wank: Played straight and in time taken to Biblical proportions, despite the fact that this isn't actually an alternate history.Alien Invasion: Abortive, because the aliens land in exactly the wrong place.The only downside to their situation is that unfortunately the humans - not being astrogators, among other reasons - have no idea where Earth is any more. Sir Roger, a man who's managed to survive medieval European politics quite well for some time, knows exactly what politics are, and manages to convince every single alien he meets, through bravado, underhandedness, trickery, and good old-fashioned lying, to assail their opponents. 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.

of chases or violence 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 20% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 30% Descript.'Hearken, Brother Parvus,' said Sir Roger. Click on a plot link to find similar books! Plot & Themes Composition of Book Descript.

The High Crusade by Poul Anderson