Simon Acland

About me

Simon Acland has written two historical novels. The Waste Land chronicles the adventures of Hugh de Verdon, monk turned knight, during the extraordinary events of the 1st Crusade. He journeys from the great Monastery of Cluny to Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem. He encounters the Assassins, endures a personal epiphany and discovers the “truth” behind the Holy Grail. The Flowers of Evil takes up his story in the early years of the 12th Century, a turbulent period when the victorious First Crusaders fought to hold on to the lands they had won in Outremer. Unfinished business takes Hugh on a journey of vengeance and fulfilment.

In each book, Hugh de Verdon’s tale is retold by a group of desperate Oxford dons, who discover his autobiographical manuscript in their College library. Their humorous – and murderous – story also provides a commentary on the Eleventh Century events and suggests that they are not all they seem.

Simon Acland used to work in venture capital.

Recent tweets

20 days ago

Check out new blog on what my Crusade was really like at Reading the Past http://t.co/ZRevvcLQM4 Thanks Sarah

39 days ago

April 1097 Itching to march on Nicaea #TheWasteLand http://t.co/jUgRTDDq7E @BeaufortBooks

40 days ago

Another blog - this time on Taking Liberties with Myths and legends http://t.co/V9gJ9Ae7DP @BeaufortBooks

42 days ago

Just in the nick of time! Bohemond of Taranto arrives in Constantinople today 9 April 1097 http://t.co/ymTQ66Dk0R @BeaufortBooks

44 days ago

1097 carefully watching Bagrat. The Armenian weasel is up to no good. #TheWasteLand http://t.co/F56TpndsTQ @BeaufortBooks

 
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