Preaching the Crusades
Mendicant Friars and the Cross in the Thirteenth Century

A study of the Dominicans' and Franciscans' propagandist role in the thirteenth-century crusades.

Christoph T. Maier (Author)

9780521638739, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 April 1998

216 pages
21.6 x 13.8 x 1.6 cm, 0.315 kg

'… this is a valuable work, not least … in its illustration of the mechanisms by which very particular pieces of information could be circulated to the more remote reaches of Christendom.' Reformation

This study describes the way in which the Franciscan and Dominican orders became involved in preaching the cross and examines their contribution to the crusading movement of the thirteenth century. The papacy used large numbers of trained preachers from these orders in order to provide the crusades with a well-organised and efficient propaganda back-up throughout Europe unknown before the thirteenth century. The book explains how the propaganda campaigns were organised and how the recruitment of crusaders took place. It also challenges the traditional pacifist view of the founder saints of the two orders by showing them to be supporters of the crusades themselves.

Introduction
1. The founder saints and the crusades
2. Pope Gregory IX and the early friars
3. Papal crusade propaganda and the friars
4. The organisation of the preaching of the cross in the provinces of the mendicant orders
5. Friars, crusade sermons, and preaching aids
6. The friars and the financing of the crusades
7. The friars and the redemption of crusade vows
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]