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This book explores the contribution of southern Italy and Sicily to the crusades and crusader states. By adopting the theme of identity as a tool of analysis, it argues that a far more nuanced picture emerges about the relationship than the dismissive portrayal by William of Tyre in his Chronicon, which has largely been accepted by later historians. Building upon previous scholarship in relation to Norman identity, it widens the discussion to evaluate the role of more fluid and evolving Italo-Norman and Italo-Sicilian identities, and how these shaped events. In so doing, this book also argues that the relationship between the territories needs to be considered in different dimensions: direct involvement of leaders and rulers versus indirect engagement through the geography of southern Italy and Sicily. Over time, and as identities change, these two dimensions converge, making the kingdom itself a leading participant in crusading.
List of contents
Introduction; 1. The Italo-Norman Crusaders - identities and influences; 2: Conscious construction of identity; 3: Eclectic identities and shifting alignments in the kingdom of Sicily, c. 1130-54; 4: Assuming a crusader identity - the kingdom if not the king; 5: A conduit of communication reflecting continuous commitment; Conclusion
About the author
Paula Z. Hailstone completed her PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2019 under Professor Jonathan Phillips. She is currently an independent researcher.
Summary
This book explores the contribution of southern Italy and Sicily to the crusades and crusader states. By adopting the theme of identity as a tool of analysis, it argues that the kingdom was a leading participant in crusading.
