Birth of the Kingdom

This is the third book in the Crusades Trilogy by Jan Guillou.  Arn Magnuson has returned form his 20 year exile to The Holy Land as a member of the Templars.  He is no longer a Templar knight, and has accumulated great wealth.  However, he is not afraid to us his Templar clothing to gain the things he wants. 

Upon his return home, he finds that his elder brother is in charge of his home and his father has suffered a stroke.  With his crew that he has brought home from The Holy Land he sets to strengthening his brother's home and returning his father to health.

He also finds his love, Cecilia Rosa, is still alive and waiting for him.  They plan to marry, however his uncle is dead set against it, having someone else in mind, which will tie clans together.  Cecilia's good friend, Cecilia Blanca wants to ensure the happiness of her dear friend and schemes to ensure it.  (I found that author Jan Guillou spent too much time on the wedding preparations and the wedding of these two.)

Since his return home, Arn has quietly been building up fortresses in the lands of his family.  He has also been training an army and creating and storing weapons for that army.  His purpose is not for an aggressive war, but rather for the defence of his country, because he knows that a war will come to them. Two major battles against the Danes would happen before the new kingdom of Sweden would come to be.

A great historical novel and a fitting conclusion to the Crusades Trilogy.  I thoroughly enjoyed all three novels.