Thomas Asbridge is a distinguished historian of the medieval period, whose works delve into the complexities of history, particularly focusing on the Crusades and the power structures of medieval rulers. His writing is characterized by its depth of research and its ability to bring to life the pivotal figures who shaped European history. Asbridge is dedicated to uncovering the intricate motivations and consequences of historical events, thereby illuminating past eras for the contemporary reader. His scholarship provides compelling insights into the political machinations and military conflicts that defined the medieval era.
The book offers a comprehensive and engaging account of the intense conflict over the holy land, crafted by a celebrated historian known for their vivid storytelling. It presents a thorough exploration of the historical events and figures involved in this brutal struggle, making it accessible to readers. The narrative combines scholarly depth with readability, ensuring that both history enthusiasts and general readers can grasp the complexities of this enduring conflict.
Compelling and enlightening in equal measure, and drawing on new research
which has radically remoulded our understanding of the movement, THE FIRST
CRUSADE is a major work by an outstanding historian. číst celé
Richard I's reign is both controversial and seemingly contradictory. One of England's most famous medieval monarchs and a potent symbol of national identity, he barely spent six months on English soil during a ten-year reign and spoke French as his first language. Contemporaries dubbed him the 'Lionheart', reflecting a carefully cultivated reputation for bravery, prowess and knightly virtue, but this supposed paragon of chivalry butchered close to 3,000 prisoners in cold blood on a single day. And, though revered as Christian Europe's greatest crusader, his grand campaign to the Holy Land failed to recover the city of Jerusalem from Islam. Seeking to reconcile this conflicting evidence, Thomas Asbridge's incisive reappraisal of Richard I's career questions whether the Lionheart really did neglect his kingdom, considers why he devoted himself to the cause of holy war and asks how the memory of his life came to be interwoven with myth. Richard emerges as a formidable warrior-king, possessed of martial genius and a cultured intellect, yet burdened by the legacy of his dysfunctional dynasty and obsessed with the pursuit of honour and renown.
The book offers an in-depth exploration of William Marshal, a celebrated knight of medieval England, highlighting his life and the warrior class that defined the era. Through the lens of a renowned scholar, readers gain a unique and intimate perspective on the social and historical context of the time, revealing the complexities of knighthood and the impact of Marshal's legacy.
The remarkable life of William Marshal, the forgotten power behind five
English thrones, by internationally renowned expert on the history of the
Crusades, Thomas Asbridge.
In the 11th Century, a vast Christian army, summoned to holy war by the pope, rammpaged through the Muslim world of the eastern Mediterrannean, seizing possession of Jerusalem, a city revered by both faiths. Over the 200 years that followed, Islam & the West fought for domination over the Holy Land, clashing in a series of brutal wars.
In the eleventh century, a vast Christian army, summoned to holy war by the pope, rampaged through the Muslim world of the eastern Mediterranean, seizing possession of Jerusalem, a city revered by both faiths.
