Armies of the Crusaders, 1096–1291

History, Organization, Weapons and Equipment

Gabriele Esposito

$77.95

Hardback

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English

Pen & Sword Military
27 November 2023

History; Ancient history: to c 500 CE; Military history

Series: Armies of the Past

The Crusades were among the most astonishing historical events that took place during the Middle Ages. After centuries of relative isolation following the fall of the Roman Empire, Western Europe looked again towards the Middle East in search of lands to conquer. Incited by the Church to believe that the Holy Land must be 'liberated' from its Muslim rulers (who had by then occupied it for centuries), and that to do so would bring spiritual salvation, many thousands from all over Christian Europe 'took the cross' and joined the Crusades. Led by some of the most illustrious personalities of the age, such as Richard the Lionheart and Frederick Barbarossa, they fought numerous campaigns and even founded new 'Crusader states', some of which lasted for almost two centuries. Gabriele Esposito gives an overview of the key events of these campaigns, from the First Crusade in 1096 to the fall of Acre, the last Christian stronghold in the Holy Land, in 1291. He analyses the various contingents that made up the Crusader forces, describing their equipment and tactics and showing how they attempted to adapt to unfamiliar terrain and enemies. Included, of course, are the military orders (the Templar, Hospitaller and Teutonic knights) who combined the religious fervour of a monastic brotherhood with martial prowess, forming an elite core to the Christian forces. As usual, the informative text is lavishly illustrated with colour photos depicting replica weapons and equipment in use.

AUTHOR: Gabriele Esposito is an Italian researcher and a long-time student of military history, whose interests and expertise range widely over various periods. He is the author of numerous books on armies and uniforms and is a regular contributor to many specialized magazines in Italy, France, Netherlands and UK. His many previous works include thirteen previous titles in Pen & Sword's Armies of the Past series. He lives in Italy near the battlefield of Beneventum.

60 colour illustrations

By: Gabriele Esposito
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 172mm,
ISBN: 9781399067447
ISBN 10: 1399067443
Series: Armies of the Past
Pages: 176
Publication Date: 27 November 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

GABRIELE ESPOSITO is an Italian researcher and a long-time student of military history, whose interests and expertise range widely over various periods. He is the author of numerous books on armies and uniforms and is a regular contributor to many specialized magazines in Italy, France, Netherlands and UK. His many previous works include thirteen previous titles in Pen & Sword's Armies of the Past series. He lives in Italy near the battlefield of Beneventum.

Reviews for Armies of the Crusaders, 1096–1291: History, Organization, Weapons and Equipment

""Another fine book and nicely printed on good glossy paper... The book contains 100 color photos of re-enactors in their martial glory [and] offers a general overview of the Mediterranean Sea movers and shakers at the time.""-- ""Historical Miniatures Gaming Society""