What Were the Crusades?

• elucidates key ideas and institutions which have been neglected in the past
• demonstrates, through the analysis of European campaigns, that the movement was not confined to expeditions launched to recover the Holy Land - or to defend the Christian presence there - and shows that it continued, in one form or another, into the eighteenth century and perhaps beyond
• draws attention to the increasing interest of historians in the motivation of crusaders
• now includes material on a child crusader and concludes with a short discussion of the current effects of aggressive Pan-Islamism
• features a new map illustrating the different theatres of war Original in its conception, this essential guide is a contribution of major importance to crusading scholarship. In its clear and concise treatment of the issues, it remains an unequalled introduction to the subject for students and general readers alike.

Original in its conception, this essential guide is a contribution of major importance to crusading scholarship. In its clear and concise treatment of the issues, it remains an unequalled introduction to the subject for students and general readers alike.

''An indispensable short introduction to a vast subject.''
Thomas Madden, St. Louis University