A Knight of the White Cross: A Tale of the Siege of Rhodes

by G.A. Henty

Book Overview

Young Gervaise Tresham leaves England and the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses to become a Knight of St. John. Starting as a page of the Grand Master, Gervaise quickly attains knighthood and defends Europe and Christendom against the anarchy of piracy in the Mediterranean at that time and the expansion of the Turkish empire. Sir Tresham is there to defend the fortress at Rhodes during the first siege of that city by Soleiman.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 188715924X
• ISBN13: 9781887159241
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Preston-Speed Publications
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Knight of the White Cross

Since this was a gift to someone, I don't know how it has held up. Upon receiving it in the mail, the cover and book were in good condition, but the binding had very little glue/binding material to hold it together. For that reason, I don't think I will buy another book from that company if I can help it. Other than that, we were pleased with its condition.

Great book!

Henty is amazing at capturing your interest and at the same time giving you a history lesson. Knight of the White Cross is so far my favorite of his books. There are pirates, battles, adventures, and young maidens to protect. I highly recommend this book, especially to junior high or high school boys.

Masterful storytelling

England is embroiled in the War of the Roses. Young Gervaise Tresham is sent from his war torn homeland by his father to join the Knights of St. John. Initially, this order was a semi-religious organization with its members taking vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty for the purpose of ministering to pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. With more incidents of pilgrims being attacked, robbed, and enslaved by the Moslems, the Hospitallers quickly changed, out of necessity, to a great military organization. Proceeding to the stronghold of Rhodes, Gervaise is eventually appointed commander of a war galley. The war galleys of the Knights of St. John patrolled the Mediterranean which was infested by Moorish corsair pirates. Tons of adventure, fast paced story tellign and great attention to historical detal make this yet another great Henty read.

Another fabulous tale from Henty

This is an awesome book. One will feel that they are there, fighting the corsairs or seeing the great fortresses at Rhodes. The scenes are vividly described, and the whole story is incredibly exciting. Gervaise is the ideal knight - strong, brave, loyal, and willing to give his life for Christendom. One feels like they know him in real life, so vividly is he described. The Turks can be pictured ad well, with their huge cannons and keen scimitars. The adventures of Gervaise are very perilous, and sometimes it seems there is no way out. Yet, there is a way, and he always finds it somehow or other. His exploits are phenomenal. He does everything from defending the fort of Rhodes to impersonating a Turkish prisoner, all in the name of the order. There are a few words in the story that most middle school students wouldn't know, but these don't interfere much with understanding the story as a whole. There is some violence in this book, but nothing else that would be considered repulsive. This book is a great read for anyone who likes action, adventure, history, or the Middle Ages. I give it an A.

What a hero!

Gervaise's father wishes that his son will grow up to be a Knight of the White Cross, and so Gervaise leaves his dying mother and travels to Rhodes. When he arrives at Rhodes he never dreams of all the adventures he will be undertaking, and the excitement he will be involved in. First comes the rescuing of Ricord and Santoval, after which the Grand Prior knights Gervaise and his comrade, Ralph, which is a great privilege for the boys. Some time later, after visiting the house of Signor Vsados, Gervaise mentions to Ralph that he did not like the looks of the Greek who had also been at the Vsados household. Ralph laughs at him, but Gervaise's suspicions are aroused even more when he sees the man talking to a slave of the Order. After reporting to Sir John Kendall Gervaise suggests he disguise himself and go among the slaves, to try to find out if a plot is being arranged. What will he find? Gervaise has many more adventures, and also a little romance, for Claudia De Forli bestows her colours on him. Gervaise also sets an example by the boy-galley that he was put in command of. It is the only galley ever to have only young knights appointed to it. In the end Gervaise takes part in the Siege of Rhodes, which was a bloody affair. Don't miss reading this story of a gallant Knight of the White Cross!