Crusading as an Act of Vengeance, 1095–1216

Only recently have historians of the crusades begun to seriously investigate the presence of the idea of crusading as an act of vengeance, despite its frequent appearance in crusading sources. Understandably, many historians have primarily concentrated on non-ecclesiastical phenomena such as feuding, purportedly a component of "secular" culture and the interpersonal obligations inherent in medieval society. This has led scholars to several assumptions regarding the nature of medieval vengeance and the role that various cultures of vengeance played in the crusading movement. This monograph revises those assumptions and posits a new understanding of how crusading was conceived as an act of vengeance in the context of the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. Through textual analysis of specific medieval vocabulary it has been possible to clarify the changing course of the concept of vengeance in general as well as the more specific idea of crusading as an act of vengeance. The concept of vengeance was intimately connected with the ideas of justice and punishment. It was perceived as an expression of power, embedded in a series of commonly understood emotional responses, and also as an expression of orthodox Christian values. There was furthermore a strong link between religious zeal, righteous anger, and the vocabulary of vengeance. By looking at these concepts in detail, and in the context of current crusading methodologies, fresh vistas are revealed that allow for a better understanding of the crusading movement and those who "took the cross," with broader implications for the study of crusading ideology and twelfth-century spirituality in general.

History

Throop, Susanna A.

Europe

Routledge

Only recently have historians of the crusades begun to seriously investigate the presence of the idea of crusading as an act of vengeance, despite its frequent appearance in crusading sources. Understandably, many historians have primarily concentrated on non-ecclesiastical phenomena such as feuding, purportedly a component of "secular" culture and the interpersonal obligations inherent in medieval society. This has led scholars to several assumptions regarding the nature of medieval vengeance and the role that various cultures of vengeance played in the crusading movement. This monograph revises those assumptions and posits a new understanding of how crusading was conceived as an act of vengeance in the context of the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. Through textual analysis of specific medieval vocabulary it has been possible to clarify the changing course of the concept of vengeance in general as well as the more specific idea of crusading as an act of vengeance. The concept of vengeance was intimately connected with the ideas of justice and punishment. It was perceived as an expression of power, embedded in a series of commonly understood emotional responses, and also as an expression of orthodox Christian values. There was furthermore a strong link between religious zeal, righteous anger, and the vocabulary of vengeance. By looking at these concepts in detail, and in the context of current crusading methodologies, fresh vistas are revealed that allow for a better understanding of the crusading movement and those who "took the cross," with broader implications for the study of crusading ideology and twelfth-century spirituality in general.

Crusades: A History, The

This fully updated and expanded edition of The Crusades: A History provides an authoritative exploration of one of the most significant topics in medieval and religious history. From the First Crusade right up to the present day, Jonathan Riley-Smith and Susanna Throop investigate the phenomenon of crusading and the crusaders themselves.\nNow in its 4th edition, this landmark text includes:\n- A new and more balanced book structure with updated terminology designed to help instructors and students alike 
- Deliberate incorporation of a wider range of historical perspectives, including Byzantine and Islamic historiographies, crusading against Christians and within Europe, women and gender, and the crusades in the context of Afro-Eurasian history 
- A dramatically expanded discussion of crusading from the sixteenth through twenty-first centuries 
- A fully up-to-date bibliographic essay 
- Additional textboxes, maps, and images\nThe Crusades: A History is the definitive text on the subject for students and scholars alike.

The Crusades: A History

Riley-Smith, Jonathan

Bloomsbury Academic

This sweeping yet succinct new survey introduces readers to the history of the crusades from the eleventh to the twenty-first century. By synthesizing a variety of historical perspectives, the book deliberately locates crusading in the broader history of the Mediterranean, moving away from approaches focused primarily on narrating the deeds of a small section of the Latin Christian elite to explore the rich and contested complexity of crusade history.
Table of Contents
Introduction: What Were the Crusades? 1) Connections and Conflicts in the Eleventh-Century Mediterranean 2) Constructing the First Crusade: Contexts, Events, and Reactions 3) Shifting Ground: Crusading and the Twelfth-Century Mediterranean 4) Allies and Adversaries: Crusading Culture and Intra-Christian Crusades 5) Changing Circumstances: Crusading in the Thirteenth Century 6) Towards Christian Nationalism: Crusading into the Early Modern Period 7) Conclusion: Have the Crusades Ended?

The Crusades: An Epitome (Epitomes)

Religion & Spirituality

Kismet Press LLP

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Throop, Susanna A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Throop, Susanna A.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Throop, Susanna A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Crusading as an Act of Vengeance, 1095–1216

Crusading as an Act of Vengeance, 1095–1216

The Crusades: A History

The Crusades: An Epitome (Epitomes)