It was one of the most exciting epochs in world history: at the end of the 11th century, knights from all over Europe set out to conquer the Holy Land. Peter Berling dramatically depicts the intrigues and power struggles that preceded the First Crusade, while also telling the backstory of his famous saga "The Children of the Grail." In the year 1084, the bitter struggle between the Pope and the Emperor for supremacy in the Holy Roman Empire rages on. Each tries to win the princes to his side. After the humiliation that Henry IV inflicted on his predecessor at Canossa, the newly elected Pope Urban II devises a bold plan: he wants to unite Christendom through a common goal - under his leadership, the knights of Europe are to reclaim Jerusalem. Remy d'Aretin, the "Gray Cardinal," pulls the strings, while the enterprising squire Rinat of Sitten becomes the chronicler.