Placeholder text

Go to cart

The History of the Holy War

By Malcolm Barber

The History of the Holy War

By Malcolm Barber

0 - Default Title
Description
The 'Estoire de la Guerre Sainte', an early example of vernacular chronicle, by the Norman poet Ambroise, presents an eye-witness account of the Third Crusade (1188-92) in a highly-polished rhetorical style. Central is the character of Richard the Lion Heart, Ambroise's hero, but the narrative is also enlivened by short anecdotes, sometimes heroic and sometimes more down-to-earth, about other participants. It depicts clearly the privations and sufferings of the ordinary crusaders, whether at the siege of Acre or on the march, and provides both a detailed record of events and a personal perspective on the Islamic warriors and their leaders, in particular Saladin and Saphadin. Ambroise also shows remarkable knowledge of contemporary weapons of war, such as siege engines and types of ship. This volume offers a prose translation into English. Detailed notes identify most of the participants and clarify literary, biblical and historical allusions, while the introduction looks at historical, literary and philological aspects of the poem and assesses its significance as literary artefact and historical record, setting it in context and bringing forward new evidence about the identity of the poet. Dr MARIANNE AILES teaches in the Department of French, University of Bristol; MALCOLM BARBER is Professor of History at Reading University.
Product details
Binding:
Paperback
Number of Pages:
236
Release Date:
2011-10-20
Publication Date:
2011-10-11
Publisher:
Boydell Press
Languages:
Original: English
ISBN10:
1843836629
ISBN13:
9781843836629
Weight:
365 g
Height:
156 cm
Width:
234 cm
Thickness:
13 cm
Buy on Amazon
Currently sold out