First Crusade and Idea of Crusading - Softcover

'An extremely useful and stimulating book, which no student of crusading history can afford to neglect.' Times Literary Supplement 'Riley-Smith's work is based upon a thorough knowledge of the sources,... it represents the best general account of the religious meaning of the Crusade, and as such it is an important addition to literature on the Crusades and to the development of forms of lay piety in the Middle Ages.' The Journal of Religion 'Riley-Smith... has attempted successfully to adumbrate the idea of the first crusade. [A] well-crafted and convincing argument.' Choice

Despite various studies on the development of crusading thought, the First Crusade itself has not been properly examined from this perspective. Drawing on a range of European chronicles and charter collections, this book discusses the launching of the First Crusade, the practical experience of the crusaders and the interpretations placed upon this experience by contemporary commentators.