Robert the Monk's History of the First Crusade: Historia Iherosolimitana

by Carol Sweetenham (Editor)

Overview

This is the first English translation of Robert the Monk's Historia Iherosolimitana, a Latin prose chronicle describing the First Crusade. In addition to providing new and unique information on the Crusade (Robert claims to have been an eyewitness of the Council of Clermont in 1095), its particular interest lies in the great popularity it enjoyed in the Middle Ages. The text has close links with the vernacular literary tradition and is written in a racy style which would not disgrace a modern tabloid journalist. Its reflection of contemporary legends and anecdotes gives us insights into perceptions of the Crusade at that time and opens up interesting perspectives onto the relationship of history and fiction in the twelfth century. The introduction discusses what we know about Robert, his importance as a historical source and his place in the literary tradition of the First Crusade.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781351902687
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/19/2017
Series:	Crusade Texts in Translation
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	411 KB

About the Author

Dr Carol Sweetenham is an associate fellow in the Department of French Studies, University of Warwick, UK. Her previous book, written with Linda Patterson, was The Canso d'Antioca: An Occitan Epic Chronicle of the First Crusade (Ashgate 2003), and together with Susan Edgington she is working on a translation of the Chanson d'Antioche for the Ashgate Crusade Texts in Translation series.

Table of Contents

Preface, Acknowledgements, Introduction, Translation of Robert the Monk’s Historia Iherosolimitana, Appendix: Two letters calling Christians on Crusade, Bibliography, Index

Editorial Reviews

'... [Carol Sweetenham's] research is clearly meticulous and, despite being aimed at a scholarly readership, her text is easily accessible and pleasant to read... a valuable tool for crusade scholars and a very welcome addition to crusade historiography.' The Medieval Review ’Sweetenham has made Robert's Historia accessible to a wider readership. Hers is a lively translation with a useful commentary.’ Crusades '... this volume in Ashgate's Crusade Texts in Translation series performs an indispensable function for anyone who wants to understand European crusaders' motivations and self-promotion. ... Sweetenham has provided a highly usable volume suitable for teaching and research.' MESA

From the Publisher