Cartier and the Lost Crusader Sword
Louis J. Cartier discovered a medieval sword pommel in a Damascus bazaar in the 1920s—an artefact later identified as belonging to crusader Peter of Dreux. Now at The Met, the object offers a rare, personal link to the Seventh Crusade and its leading French nobles.
Assassins and Templars at War – Ambushes and Ambassadors
A dramatic ambush derailed a potential alliance between the Crusaders and the Assassins, plunging the Kingdom of Jerusalem into crisis. This article explores the negotiations, the killing of the Nizari envoy and the political fallout that followed.
The Medieval Order of Assassins with Steve Tibble
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, what tactics they used in the Middle Ages, and what this legendary order stood for.
Could the Crusades Have Started Decades Earlier?
New research suggests that the Crusades may have begun far earlier than 1095. A study of a 1062 Byzantine embassy reveals Emperor Constantine X Doukas may have sought Western aid—and even invoked Jerusalem—decades before the First Crusade.
Fear and Loathing in Lebanon – Assassins, Templars and the World’s Most Toxic Landlord-Tenant Relationship
On the volatile crusader frontier of Tripoli, the Templars became the new “landlords,” taking over castles and villages to defend Christendom. Their unwilling neighbours—the Nizari Assassins—responded with a century of assassinations, raids, and uneasy tribute in one of history’s most toxic landlord-tenant relationships.
Templars as Medieval Training Consultants
Discover how the Knights Templar acted as medieval training consultants during the Second Crusade, bringing discipline, tactics, and military innovation to save a faltering crusader army.
Assassins and Templars: The Strategy of Death
Discover how the Assassins and Templars used fear, fanaticism, and the strategy of death to survive and shape power during the Crusades.
From Liberation to Loss: The Early Crusades to the Holy Land
Explore the first phase of the Crusades to the Holy Land, from the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 to the fall of Edessa and the failed Second Crusade.
New Medieval Books: Frederick Barbarossa
This biography chronicles the life of Frederick Barbarossa, one of the most influential figures of the 12th century. As Holy Roman Emperor, his reign was marked by a relentless struggle for power across the German and Italian realms, as well as a pivotal role in the Crusades.
“A Noble Theme”: Orderic Vitalis as a Historian of Crusade
This article explores how the Norman monk Orderic Vitalis incorporated the First Crusade into his Ecclesiastical History, offering insights into early crusading narratives and their reception in medieval monastic circles.
How the Crusade Became a Medieval Institution
This article explores how the crusade emerged as a distinct medieval institution, shaped by ideas of holy war, just war, and penance.
New Medieval Books: Laywomen and the Crusade in England, 1150-1300
The Crusades enjoyed widespread support in Western Europe, and efforts on the home front were focused on mobilizing fighters for the Holy Land. This book explores the role of women in England in encouraging men to take up the Cross.
The Seventh Crusade: New Research Reveals a Different Story
New research using Arabic sources to reveal a different story of the Seventh Crusade — one shaped by internal Ayyubid power struggles, political intrigue, and the rise of the Mamluks during Louis IX’s failed Egyptian campaign.
Crusader Criminals: Plunder, Pillage and the Usual Suspects
Steve Tibble on criminality in the crusades, from the primal forces such as climate change and mass migration which fed a wave of violence, to the extraordinary stories of looting, piracy, banditry and muggings which emerged.
Frederick Barbarossa with Graham Loud
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Graham Loud about how Barbarossa came to power, how he managed to reign supreme in both Germany and Italy despite some bumps along the way, and why he’s sometimes revered as a once and future king in Germany.
New Medieval Books: Byzantine Sources for the Crusades, 1095-1204
These translated sources present Byzantine perspectives on the First through Fourth Crusades, offering a view of the Crusades as seen from Constantinople.
The Changing Image of Saladin: From Crusader Villain to Chivalric Hero
Few historical figures have undergone as dramatic a transformation as Saladin. Once cast as a ruthless enemy of Christendom, he later became the very model of knightly virtue in Western literature.
The Crusades: A Very Brief History, 1095-1500
Between the mid-11th and late-15th centuries, a historically specific configuration of material and ideational factors gave rise to a constellation of religious wars now known as “the Crusades.”
Drunk and Disorderly: How Taverns Led Crusaders into Trouble
Crusading was meant to be a holy mission, but for many knights and soldiers, the lure of taverns, drink, and other temptations often…
Muslims in the Kingdom of Jerusalem with Ann Zimo
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Ann Zimo about the interactions between Muslims and Christians within the legal, political, and even spy networks of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.
High Stakes in the Holy Land: Gambling, Sieges, and Crusader Missteps
Gambling wasn’t just a pastime in the Crusader States—it was a risky habit that often blurred the lines between entertainment and disaster. From siege lines to Mongol invasions, the stakes were as high as the dice rolls, with deadly consequences for the gamblers and their people.
New Medieval Books: The Teutonic Knights
The Teutonic Knights, a prominent military order, were active primarily in the Baltic region but also played a significant role in the Near East and Transylvania. This book explores their origins, rise to regional dominance, and eventual decline.
Why Did the Crusader States Fight So Many Battles (Especially When They Shouldn’t Have)?
Why did the Crusader States engage in so many battles when the odds and outcomes often seemed stacked against them?
Did the Knights Templar Betray Christendom?
The Knights Templar, shrouded in both reverence and suspicion, have long been a subject of intrigue. While the accusations of Satanism are among the most dramatic charges levied against them, claims of treachery and betrayal have also left an indelible mark on their legacy.