In 1095 Pope Urban II launched the First Crusade to recover Jerusalem
from the Seljuq Turks. Tens of thousands of people joined his cause,
making it the single largest event of the Middle Ages. The conflict
would rage for over 200 years, transforming Christian and Islamic
relations forever.
Andrew Jotischky takes readers through the key events, focussing on the
experience of crusading, from both sides. Featuring textboxes with
fascinating details on the key sites, figures and battles, this
essential primer asks all the crucial questions: What were the
motivations of the crusaders? What was it like to be a crusader or to
live in a crusading society? And how do these events, nearly a thousand
years ago, still shape the politics of today?