Forget everything you thought you knew about the Crusader knights. Not all of them wore shining armor or fought for their faith. Some were murderers, traitors, bandits, and unscrupulous mercenaries who used the cross as an excuse to satisfy their ambition and thirst for power. In Criminal Crusaders: The Rebel Knights of the Holy Land, renowned historian Steve Tibble—author of The Crusader Armies and a leading figure in Crusade studies—immerses us in the darkest, most human, and most violent side of that fascinating world. With rigorous research and vibrant storytelling, he rescues from oblivion the stories of those who broke their vows, conspired, murdered, stole, and betrayed the cause they claimed to defend. This book reveals the hidden face of the Crusades: internal struggles, systemic corruption, looting among allies, and an increasingly blurred line between holy war and organized crime. Beyond religious fanaticism, what unleashed centuries of violence was a tide of rootless, uninhibited, and dangerously numerous young people. With a lively and absorbing style, Tibble turns medieval chronicles and forgotten documents into a thrilling read that demystifies the Middle Ages and offers a more realistic, raw, and immersive view of the Crusader world. Not only is this a work of solid history, it is also an epic thriller about ambition and betrayal in one of the most turbulent periods in history. A must-read for fans of the Middle Ages, power games, and those seeking the truth behind the myth. Get ready to meet the crusaders the Vatican would rather erase from history. “The main plot is shocking and original.” —Tony Barber, Financial Times “This is the first book to explore the criminal underworld of the Crusades... A lively new perspective.” —Jack Watkins, Country Life “Tibble's meticulous narrative details a cast of smugglers and kidnappers, gamblers and muggers.” —Michael Prodger, New Statesman