The Deeds of the Franks and Other Jerusalem-Bound Pilgrims

The Earliest Chronicle of the First Crusade

Nirmal Dass

This new translation offers a faithful yet accessible English-language rendering of the twelfth-century Gesta Francorum et aliorum Hierosolomitanorum, the earliest known Latin account of the First Crusade. Although an anonymous work, it has become the exemplar for all later histories and retellings of the First Crusade. As such, it is filled with vivid descriptions of the hardships suffered by the crusaders, with deeds of personal heroism, with courtly intrigues, with betrayal and cowardice, and with a relentless faith that would see the attainment of the desired goal: the capture of Jerusalem by the crusaders in 1099. There is a great deal of mystery surrounding this anonymous account, especially in regard to its authorship; place, date, and purpose of composition; narrative methodology; and point of view. It is also a sweeping tale that swiftly moves from the first preaching of the crusade by Pope Urban II, to the ragtag and ultimately doomed effort of the popular People's Crusade, and then the more disciplined and concerted campaign by the French and Norman nobility that led to the conquest of the Holy Land by the crusaders.

Based on the latest scholarly research, including a substantive introduction that explores the questions surrounding the Gesta and its historical context, this definitive translation will bring the First Crusade and its era to life for all readers.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 162 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-1-4422-0497-3 • Hardback • September 2011 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-4422-0498-0 • Paperback • September 2011 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

978-1-4422-0499-7 • eBook • September 2011 • $47.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: History / Europe / Medieval

The Deeds of the Franks and Other Jerusalem-Bound Pilgrims

The Earliest Chronicle of the First Crusade

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

This new translation offers a faithful yet accessible English-language rendering of the twelfth-century Gesta Francorum et aliorum Hierosolomitanorum, the earliest known Latin account of the First Crusade. Although an anonymous work, it has become the exemplar for all later histories and retellings of the First Crusade. As such, it is filled with vivid descriptions of the hardships suffered by the crusaders, with deeds of personal heroism, with courtly intrigues, with betrayal and cowardice, and with a relentless faith that would see the attainment of the desired goal: the capture of Jerusalem by the crusaders in 1099. There is a great deal of mystery surrounding this anonymous account, especially in regard to its authorship; place, date, and purpose of composition; narrative methodology; and point of view. It is also a sweeping tale that swiftly moves from the first preaching of the crusade by Pope Urban II, to the ragtag and ultimately doomed effort of the popular People's Crusade, and then the more disciplined and concerted campaign by the French and Norman nobility that led to the conquest of the Holy Land by the crusaders.

Based on the latest scholarly research, including a substantive introduction that explores the questions surrounding the Gesta and its historical context, this definitive translation will bring the First Crusade and its era to life for all readers.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 162 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-1-4422-0497-3 • Hardback • September 2011 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-4422-0498-0 • Paperback • September 2011 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

978-1-4422-0499-7 • eBook • September 2011 • $47.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: History / Europe / Medieval

Author

Nirmal Dass researches the Early and High Middle Ages. His previous books include Viking Attacks on Paris: The Bella parisiacae urbis of Abbo of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and The Crowning of Louis.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Authorship
The Language of the Gesta
The Manuscript Tradition
The Structure of the Gesta
The Gesta and History
Nature of the First Crusade
Translation
Selected Bibliography
The Deeds of the Franks and Other Jerusalemites
Verse in Praise of Bohemond
Four Names

Reviews

The Deeds of the Franks and Other Jerusalem-Bound Pilgrims gives a brief overview of the political and church history of the 11^th century leading up to the First Crusade. . . . Including a chronicle that has an overview of events before and during the Crusade, with dates so the reader receives an idea of when particular events occurred culminating in the capture of Jerusalem. The Deeds of the Franks is recommended for those interested in the history of the First Crusade.
— The Augustan Omnibus

A welcome addition to the growing body of translated crusader texts, graced with a sensible and balanced introduction. Useful to students and specialists alike.
— Paul F. Crawford, California University of Pennsylvania

Features

A new translation of the earliest narrative account of the First Crusade that is faithful to the original while employing accessible, contemporary language

Includes a substantive, interpretive introduction

Judicious footnotes and maps contextualize the narrative

Selected bibliography and further readings provide additional resources