The High Crusade - Tapa blanda

In the year of grace 1345, as Sir Roger Baron de Tourneville is gathering an army to join King Edward III in the war against France, a most astonishing event occurs: a huge silver ship descends through the sky and lands in a pasture beside the little village of Ansby in North East Lincolnshire. The Wersgorix, whose scouting ship it is, are quite expert at taking over planets, and having determined from orbit that this one was suitable, they initiate standard world-conquering procedure. But this time it's no mere primitives the Wersgorix seek to enslave - they've launched their invasion against Englishmen! In the end, only one alien is left alive - and Sir Roger's grand vision is born. He intends for the creature to fly the ship first to France to aid his King, then on to the Holy Land to vanquish the infidel!

Poul Anderson is one of the grandmasters of Science Fiction - in the company of Asimov, Clarke and Heinlein. Winner of 7 Hugos, two Nebulas and the Gandalf Award. He was a former President of the Science Fiction Writers of America and the father-in-law of current SF favourite, Greg Bear.