The Crusades by Hilaire Bellow. French-born British historian who wrote in the early 19th century, this book, first published in 1937, is fantastic. I’ve seen some criticism suggesting that Bellow’s Catholic upbringing heavily influenced his writing. However, from reading this book, I did not notice any religious undertones, either subtle or overt. One observation I have about Bellow’s writing style is that it feels quite personal, which is unusual for a history book. Reading it is akin to attending a lecture by a passionate professor. Far from being a drawback, this vivid and animated language makes the book quite refreshing.
The Crusades were a series of military campaigns that began in the 11th century and lasted for nearly 200 years. While these events took place long ago, the motives behind them can be understood as a complex mix of religious and political factors, including the desire to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim control, as well as broader territorial and power ambitions.
Medieval Europe was quite different from today. Instead of modern nations, there were numerous kingdoms, duchies, and smaller entities ruled by kings, dukes, and local lords, with Christianity being the common faith among most people. During this feudal period, poverty was widespread, and while a small number of nobles and lords controlled much of the land and power, the majority of people lived as peasants or serfs under the authority of their local rulers
This was also a violent era. Europe frequently faced raids from northern groups, such as the Vikings in earlier centuries, and invasions from eastern forces, including the Mongols. Despite these threats, the Christian Church maintained significant influence over European society for many centuries, even as Jerusalem fell to Muslim forces during the Crusades.
Centuries earlier, the power of the Roman Empire shifted to the Byzantine Empire, with Constantinople as its capital. Jerusalem had been under Muslim control for several centuries before briefly coming under Western Christian rule following its capture during the First Crusade in 1099. The Crusades were launched in response to the Turks’ expansion and their capture of key Byzantine territories, including Jerusalem in the late 11th century.
According to Bellow, Pope Urban II was the most influential figure of his time. He not only persuaded the nobility and knights to fight to reclaim the Holy City, but he also held immense influence over ordinary people. Urban II had the authority to launch a series of wars that lasted for 200 years. Since Europe was united by a shared Christian faith and the pope was widely recognized as the supreme Christian leader, I agree that he was one of the most powerful individuals in history.
To be continued.