Sordid is the right way to describe the crusades. They start from a negative philosophy and just become more guttural. I did enjoy Warriors of God by James Reston Jr. His focus on the personalities of the Third Crusade, both Richard Lion-Heart and Saladin, kept it interesting, not so much the actual history but the weird dynamics driving the conflict. My favorite detail was Richard trying to arrest a peasant (I believe in Sicily) who owned a falcon, only allowed to be possessed by the upper caste. For a paragraph he was the Sheriff of Nottingham!
That sounds interesting. I think I'll have a look for a copy of Warriors of God when we are free of this pandemic. In the meantime I'll go and have a look at your channel.
Penguin also does “Chronicles of the First Crusade” translated by Christopher Tyerman, which gathers together various accounts, and Ibn Munqidh’s “Book of Contemplation: Islam and the Crusades”, translated by Paul M. Cobb, which describes the early Crusades from a first hand Islamic perspective. It would be nice if they could also do a collection of Byzantine perspectives on the Crusades too, maybe including Niketas Choniates’ “History”.
The crusades are not my favorite period of history. They all appear to be a mixture of greed, religious fanatism, xenophobia and flat out stupidity. I do know a couple of people who are interested in the crusades but they look at them from the military/technical point of view. They concentrate on tactics, fortifications, sieges and battles.
I seem to remember that Charles Mackay’s “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds” had rather more on the Crusades than I was willing to wade through at the time I read it 30+ years ago.
Sordid is the right way to describe the crusades. They start from a negative philosophy and just become more guttural.
I did enjoy Warriors of God by James Reston Jr. His focus on the personalities of the Third Crusade, both Richard Lion-Heart and Saladin, kept it interesting, not so much the actual history but the weird dynamics driving the conflict. My favorite detail was Richard trying to arrest a peasant (I believe in Sicily) who owned a falcon, only allowed to be possessed by the upper caste. For a paragraph he was the Sheriff of Nottingham!
That sounds interesting. I think I'll have a look for a copy of Warriors of God when we are free of this pandemic. In the meantime I'll go and have a look at your channel.
Do you think the conquest of Anatolia was sordid as well? That's what prompted the First Crusade.
Endlessly fascinating topic.
Penguin also does “Chronicles of the First Crusade” translated by Christopher Tyerman, which gathers together various accounts, and Ibn Munqidh’s “Book of Contemplation: Islam and the Crusades”, translated by Paul M. Cobb, which describes the early Crusades from a first hand Islamic perspective. It would be nice if they could also do a collection of Byzantine perspectives on the Crusades too, maybe including Niketas Choniates’ “History”.
The crusades are not my favorite period of history. They all appear to be a mixture of greed, religious fanatism, xenophobia and flat out stupidity. I do know a couple of people who are interested in the crusades but they look at them from the military/technical point of view. They concentrate on tactics, fortifications, sieges and battles.
"Greed, Religious Fanatism, Xenophobia and Flat Out Stupidity" would make a great title if anyone ever wanted to write a history of humanity.
The first crusade was a response to the conquest of Anatolia by the Seljuk Turks. Would you say that about that event as well?
I'll try and find a copy Deus Lo Volt whenever we get back to some sort of normality.
This is the point where I'd automatically offer to find one & send it, but ... yes, some sort of normality.
I wouldn't expect that Steve but thank you very much for the thought.
Thank you for this!
I seem to remember that Charles Mackay’s “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds” had rather more on the Crusades than I was willing to wade through at the time I read it 30+ years ago.
Jason?
Shouldn't a comprehensive "Chronicles of the Crusades" include writings from Muslim authors?
Yes indeed! In my ideal 1000-page volume, the accounts would be equally balanced!