The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3)
1891
The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3)
1891
Translated by William Robson
''The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3)'' by Joseph François Michaud, first published in 1891, provides a detailed historical account of the Fourth Crusade and the subsequent conflicts between Christian and Muslim forces. This volume explores the political motivations and societal impacts of the Crusades, particularly in the context of the power struggles following Saladin's death. Michaud examines the civil wars among Muslim leaders and the ambitions of Western powers, highlighting the internal discord that influenced the outcomes of the Crusades.
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“but the Genoese, at the sight of such a rich booty, paid no respect to the capitulation, and massacred without pity a disarmed and defenceless people. This””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“The war-cry of the Christian soldiers was: “Christ lives, Christ reigns, Christ commands.”[233]””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“The Christian warriors fought like lions, animated by their war-cry “Victory or Death!” Baldwin””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“if they fell, heaven would be open to them; if they triumphed, the fame of their victory would be spread throughout the Christian world. There could be no safety in flight; their home was beyond the seas; in the East there was no asylum for the conquered.” After””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“These differences with Tancred did not impede Baldwin’s wars against the infidels, or””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“Godfrey of Bouillon surpassed all the captains of his age in his skill in war; and if he had lived some time longer, would have merited a name among great kings.””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“Thus all the citizens of the kingdom were judged by their peers, and enjoyed the benefits of an institution which has not been despised in ages much more enlightened.””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“The first obligation of a subject or a vassal towards his prince or his lord, was to defend him or avenge him in every case of outrage, and to protect the honour of his wife, his daughter, or his sister; to follow him in all perils, and to surrender himself as hostage for him, if he fell into the hands of his enemies.[227]””
— J. Fr. Michaud
“The king was to undertake to maintain the laws, to defend the Church, to protect widows and orphans, to watch over the safety of both people and lords, and to lead in war. The””
— J. Fr. Michaud
About The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3)
Chapter Summaries
- BOOK IX
- Following Saladin's death (1195-1198), his empire fragments into civil wars among his successors, with Malek-Adel skillfully consolidating power. In Palestine, Christian colonies suffer from internal discord and weak leadership. Pope Celestine III instigates a new crusade, which German Emperor Henry VI exploits to conquer Sicily before sending his forces to the East. The German Crusaders' impatience leads to a broken truce, the fall of Jaffa, and the death of Henry of Champagne, but they achieve a victory at Berytus before their eventual departure, leaving the Christian states vulnerable.
- BOOK X
- Pope Innocent III instigates the Fifth Crusade (1198-1204), with Foulques of Neuilly inspiring French nobles like Thibault IV and Louis of Chartres. Deputies secure costly transport from Venice, led by the aged but shrewd Doge Dandolo. Due to insufficient funds, the crusade is diverted to Zara, a rebellious Christian city, which is captured despite papal disapproval. Young Alexius, son of the dethroned Byzantine Emperor Isaac, then persuades the Crusaders to restore him and his father to the throne of Constantinople, promising aid and church submission. The Crusaders sail to Constantinople, capture Galata, and after a siege, the usurper Alexius flees, restoring Isaac and his son, making the Crusaders allies of the Greeks.
- BOOK XI
- The restored Byzantine emperors, Isaac and young Alexius, struggle to fulfill their promises to the Crusaders, leading to heavy taxes, sacrilege, and Greek discontent. A devastating fire in Constantinople, sparked by Flemish soldiers, further inflames anti-Latin sentiment. Mourzoufle, an ambitious Greek prince, exploits this unrest, murders young Alexius, and seizes the throne. The enraged Crusaders declare war, launching a successful naval assault on Constantinople. The city is brutally plundered, its art destroyed for coin. Baldwin of Flanders is elected the first Latin Emperor, and the empire's territories are divided among the French and Venetians, establishing a new, fragile Latin Empire.
Key Themes
- Religious Zeal vs. Political Ambition
- The crusades are ostensibly for religious purposes, such as reclaiming the Holy Land or uniting the Greek and Roman Churches. However, the narrative consistently shows that these noble aims are overshadowed and manipulated by the political ambitions of rulers like Henry VI, the commercial interests of Venice, and the personal power struggles of various nobles and emperors. This tension highlights the often-contradictory motivations behind these 'holy wars'.
- Discord and Disunity among Christians
- A recurring theme is the profound disunity within Christendom, which proves to be as detrimental as, if not more so than, external enemies. Conflicts arise between German and Palestinian Crusaders, the Templars and Hospitallers, and most significantly, between the Latin Crusaders and the Byzantine Greeks, culminating in the sack of Constantinople. This internal fragmentation prevents a unified effort towards Jerusalem and ultimately weakens the Christian presence in the East.
- Corruption and Moral Decay
- The text frequently exposes the moral failings of both the Byzantine court and the Crusaders. The Byzantine emperors are depicted as effeminate, superstitious, and corrupt, while the Crusaders, despite their vows, engage in pillage, debauchery, and avarice. This moral decline contrasts sharply with the idealized image of holy warriors and contributes to the overall tragic outcome of the expeditions.
Characters
- Saladin(antagonist)
- The former sultan whose empire is divided among his successors, leading to civil wars and weakening Muslim power in the East.
- Alaziz(supporting)
- Son of Saladin who becomes Sultan of Cairo and initially engages in civil war against his brother Afdhal for control of the Ayoubite empire.
- Afdhal(supporting)
- Eldest son of Saladin, proclaimed Sultan of Damascus, whose weak rule and debauchery lead to civil strife and a loss of his power.
- Malek-Adel(antagonist)
- Saladin's brother, a skilled military leader and politician who manipulates the Ayoubite civil wars to consolidate and extend his own power.
- Bohemond III(minor)
- Governor of Antioch and Tripoli, who engages in conflicts with the Prince of Armenia and whose family experiences internal strife.
- Pope Celestine III(supporting)
- The sovereign pontiff who instigates the Fourth Crusade, urging Christian rulers to reclaim the Holy Land and offering indulgences.
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Michaud, J. Fr.. The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3). Lex, lex-books.com/book/the-history-of-the-crusades-vol-2-of-3-958abf2e-aaa2-4f5f-b80f-dde75ca7fb1a.Michaud, J. F. (1891). The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3). Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/the-history-of-the-crusades-vol-2-of-3-958abf2e-aaa2-4f5f-b80f-dde75ca7fb1aMichaud, J. Fr.. The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3). Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/the-history-of-the-crusades-vol-2-of-3-958abf2e-aaa2-4f5f-b80f-dde75ca7fb1a.
