This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This course examines the place of crusading within Medieval society focusing on the thirteenth century, especially on the period between c. 1200 and 1291. It will consider crusading against the Muslims in the Holy Land as well as crusading within Europe, especially in Southern France against the Cathar heresy and in northern Europe, where crusading was used as a device to convert the pagans in the Baltic region. The module will deal with issues such as holy war, ecclesiastical control over crusading, conversion of heretics and pagans, trades within the Mediterranean and with Medieval Russia, military strategies, funding warfare, political alliances, military orders, diplomatic relations with the Greek and Arab worlds, preaching, pilgrimage and cultural encounters. The course will be structured around themes including: what is a crusade; how to plan a crusade; crusades in the twelfth century; the Third Crusade; the military orders; crusading castles; trades; cultural encounters; crusade and mission; the Fourth crusade; the crusades against the Cathars; crusades in northern Europe; the Fifth crusade; St. Francis of Assisi and the conversion of al-Kamil; Frederick II and the conquest of Jerusalem; Louis IX and the crusades; the fall of Acre in 1291; the trial of the Templars.
Issues such as warfare, the importance of religion, and the presence of the Church within the Medieval society will inform the course's approach to the material. The course will draw on narrative, hagiographical, documentary and visual sources. The course will require students to engage with primary sources, and to think critically about theoretical approaches toward these issues. If possible, a visit the relevant museums and archival collections in London will be arranged.
The module will be taught by three hour long weekly seminars.
The module will be assessed by coursework and exam on a 40% coursework and 60% exam ratio.
The coursework component will be assessed as follows:
1) 2 x 3000 word essays, each worth 10% of the coursework mark (25% of the total mark)
2) 2 x 1500 word primary source critiques, each worth 5% of the coursework mark (12.5% of the total mark)
3) 2 x 15 minute presentations, each worth 5% of the coursework mark (12.5% of the total mark)
Exams:
The module will also be tested in 2 x two–hour exams – which will make up 60% (30% each) of the final mark for the module.
J. Riley-Smith, What were the crusades? 3rd edn. (Palgrave MacMillan, 2002)
C. Tyerman, 'Were there any crusades in the Twelfth Century?', English Historical Review 110 (1995)
S. Runciman, A history of the crusades, 3 vols. (Cambridge University Press,1951-4)
The crusades: a reader, ed. S. J. Allen (University of Toronto Press, 2003)
The Conquest of Jerusalem and the Third Crusade, ed. P. Edbury (Ashgate, 1996)
A. Andrea, Contemporary sources of the Fourth Crusade (Leiden, 2008).
D.E. Queller and T.F. Madden, The Fourth Crusade (University of Pennsylvania Press,1997)
Oliver of Paderborn, Christian Society and the Crusades 1198-1228, ed. E. Peters (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1948)
J. M. Powell, Anatomy of a Crusade 1213-1221 (University of Pennsylvania Press,1986)
Joinville. The Life of Saint Louis. In Chronicles of the Crusades, trans. M.R.B. Shaw. (N.Y., 1963).
W. Jordan, Louis IX and the Challenge of the Crusade (Princeton University Press, 1979)
J. Richard, Louis IX, crusader king of France (Cambridge, 1992)
The Seventh Crusade, 1244-1254: sources and documents, trans. P. Jackson (Ashgate, 2007)
Shirley J. (tr.), Song of the Cathar Wars (Aldershot, 1996).
The History of the Albigensian Crusade by Peter of les Vaux-de-Cernay, trans. W. and M. Sibly (Boydell Press,1998)
Hamilton B., The Albigensian crusade (Manchester University Press,1974)
Sumption J., The Albigensian crusade (Faber and Faber, 1978)
Henricus de Lettis, The chronicle of Henry of Livonia, trans. J. Brundage (Madison, 2003)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
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