The First Crusaders, 1095–1131

A detailed account of the circumstances and motives of the first crusaders.

Jonathan Riley-Smith (Author)

9780521590051, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 June 1997

320 pages, 1 b/w illus. 5 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.64 kg

'Whatever they thought, what the First Crusaders did more than justifies our attention.' Early Medieval Europe

Much has been written about the crusades, but very little about the crusaders. What moved them to go? What preparations did they need to make? How did they react to their experiences? This book comes up with detailed answers to these questions, and offers the first systematic reading of a large cache of contemporary source-material. Clusters of crusaders can be identified in individual family groups, and the collective commitment of these claims manifested itself in support for the new settlements in the east. Indeed, crusading was so dependent upon the support and enthusiasm of family groups that the movement was open to domination by them: the example of the Montlhéry clan is cited, who tried to seize control of the crusading movement in the 1120s.

Introduction
1. Crusading and crusaders, 1095–1131
2. Holy sepulchre, holy war
3. Preaching and the crusaders
4. Recruitment, lordship and family
5. Preparing for the crusades
6. Returning from the crusades
7. Crusading and the Montlhérys
8. Conclusion and postscript
Appendix
Bibliography.

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