The First Crusaders, 10951131 [Paperback]

A detailed account of the circumstances and motives of the first crusaders.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. The author identifies family clusters of crusaders across Europe, whose collective commitment manifested itself in support for the new settlements in the east.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. The author identifies family clusters of crusaders across Europe, whose collective commitment manifested itself in support for the new settlements in the east.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. The author identifies family clusters of crusaders across Europe, whose collective commitment manifested itself in support for the new settlements in the East.Introduction; 1. Crusading and crusaders, 10951131; 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 Montlh?rys; 8. Conclusion and postscript; Appendix; Bibliography. ...remarkable and remarkably fine book....There were times I simply could not put this book down. It is an astonishing achievement. Willials)