A Brief History Of The Crusades - Geoffrey Hindley

There are some areas of history which are so dauntingly complex in their scale and sweep that a concise book covering the main points is a pre-requisite to a basic understanding. One such book is "A Brief History of The Crusades", by Geoffrey Hindley.

There is a good preamble, setting the scene by way of detailing the landscape as the 11th century came to its close. How the concept of crusades was formulated and instigated, and the problems of leadership and co-ordination.

Hindley graphically covers the propensity of some of the participants to misbehave, recounting the chilling pogroms which occasionally took place, and their effects on the Jewish communities of Europe in particular.

One thing which comes through repeatedly in the story is the difficulty experienced in unifying the various Christian factions and rulers, preoccupied as they were by myriad domestic and dynastic concerns. Even when people could be persuaded to become involved, their own agendas sometimes meant that an enterprise was curtailed, or fatally compromised, before it reached its objective. Often only the divisions amongst the opposition came to the rescue. How easy it was for forces to be distracted by the prospect of financial gain or objectives outside the proclaimed remit of their mission.

Relations with the Byzantine Empire, which were frequently strained and complex, are another recurring theme in the tale.

Hindley provides portraits of some of the colourful characters involved, particularly the knights who spearheaded the military campaigns and those clerical officials whose duty it was to garner support and enthusiasm for the latest crusade.

There are also fascinating passages about the co-existence of the conquerors with the indigenous populace, and the nature of the administration which was established once the initial conquests had taken place. One is struck by the ebb and flow of fortunes over the decades and centuries as expedient truces were agreed and then breached, and new alliances forged to recover lost territory or pride.

To my mind, the author is very even-handed, telling it as he sees it, and making some pointed references to the relative degree of "civilization" or humanity displayed by the two (or more sides) in each engagement or phase of the struggle. Some examination of social conditions and lifestyles in the territories being contested is also included  - the role and status of women is considered in some enlightening detail.

An intriguing aspect of the story for me was how the power struggles in Europe impinged on strategy and diplomacy in the Holy lands, and vice-versa.

As well as dealing with the central conflict of Christianity and Islam, the other activities which fell within a wider definition of "crusade" are illustrated and analysed. The gruesome tales of purges of heretics and other alleged "subversives" are shocking, even allowing for the less enlightened and tolerant times in which they occurred.

The author cleverly avoids being overtly judgemental, but I detected in places an implied distaste and disdain for the arrogance of the established church and its presumptions.

The demise and decline of crusading zeal are covered too, including the degree to which other pressing priorities closer to home took precedence.

I certainly know more about the Crusades after reading this book, and a knowledge of this prolonged stage of history is, I would suggest, valuable for a balanced view of European history in general.  Doubtless much more extensive and comprehensive material is out there, but this stands as a creditable attempt to explain the basics in a concise and digestible format.