Illustrated History of the Later Crusades

The crusades of 1200-1588 in Palestine, Spain, Italy and Northern Europe, from the Sack of Constantinople to the crusades against the Hussites, depicted in over 150 fine art images. This title offers an evocative account of what are known as the Late Crusades: the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight and ninth crusades between 1200 and 1588. It explains the political and religious background to the struggles in Palestine, the Christian determination to regain Spain, and the rise of the Ottomans in Egypt. It includes the wars waged by fellow Christians with the papal campaigns against the Cathars and Hussites, as well as against the pagan tribes in the Baltic states. It features the brotherhoods of warrior monks, including the Knights of St John, and the Knights Templar. It includes special sections on the crusading knights, generals and princes of that time such as: Prince Edward of England, King Peter of Cyprus, and Grand Master Jacques de Molay. This title is richly illustrated throughout with over 150 images of the battles, fortresses and epic journeys of the crusaders. This expertly researched and vividly illustrated book details the fascinating later crusades, which were fought between 1200 and 1588. These began with the attempts to regain the city of Jerusalem, held by the Christians for two generations but lost to Saladin in 1187. Conflict soon spread to Egypt, Spain and Italy, and then beyond, as the Pope used his call to arms to invoke campaigns against European pagans and Christian heretics. Charles Philips succeeds in explaining this complex period of history, and examining how the crusades impacted on the religious, social and political aspects of life in that time.