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Considers how elite women could participate in Crusade, their means and motivations.The popular perception of the medieval Crusades is of conflicts spanning from the Holy Land to the Baltic, with huge armies of religious zealots led by knights wearing crosses. However, the reality is far more nuanced. The vast majority of those living in western Europe did not go on crusade at all. But that does not mean that crusading was not on their minds, or that they could not influence the movement. They urged others to take up the cross, provided financial support, and prayed for the campaigns in the Holy Land; for them, this was crusade.
This book investigates how English laywomen were encouraged to support crusades and identify with holy war during the Middle Ages, challenging preconceptions of what crusade "meant", and bringing out the diverse ways of their participation. It draws on detailed analysis of cartularies, judicial records, chronicles and lyrical sources; it also examines the rich material culture of commemoration that celebrated the endeavour, alongside the papal propaganda which idealised women's sponsorship of crusade. This study therefore sheds new light not only on the role of women in crusade, but on their influence and piety more generally.
List of contents
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
Some Conventions
Timeline of Relevant Events
IntroductionPart I - Propaganda
1. Crusade and Culture in England
2. The Papacy and Incentives to Support
3. Preaching Patronage
Part II - Support
4. Encouraging Crusaders
5. Backing the Expeditions
6. Trends and Motivations
Part III - Memory
7. Commemoration and Creating Identity
Conclusion: Identities Beyond the Battlefield
Appendices
Appendix 1: Crusade Support Activity
Appendix 2: Known Round Churches in England
Appendix 3: Patronage of English Hospitaller Houses
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Index
About the author
Gordon M. Reynolds
Summary
Considers how elite women could participate in Crusade, their means and motivations.
