History Extra Podcast: "Should We Stop Talking About the Crusades?"
Released on November 20, 2024
Introduction
In this thought-provoking episode of the History Extra Podcast, host Jack Bateman engages in a deep conversation with Professor William Purkis, a renowned Medieval History expert from the University of Birmingham. The discussion centers around the traditional understanding of the Crusades and explores whether it's time to rethink how we talk about these historical events.
Challenging the Traditional Narrative
Professor Purkis begins by questioning the conventional portrayal of the Crusades as a series of military campaigns solely focused on the Holy Land, pitting Christianity against Islam. He asserts that this narrow definition may not accurately reflect the complexity of crusading activities during the Middle Ages.
[02:40] William Purkis: "If we look at it from a different perspective, we might gain a truer insight into the medieval mindset."
Redefining the Concept of Crusades
The conversation delves into how modern historiography views the Crusades differently from the traditional narrative. Purkis highlights three key areas where the traditional narrative falls short:
- Frequency of Crusading Activities
- Chronology of Crusades
- Geographical Scope of Crusading Efforts
[04:48] William Purkis: "Modern historiography is beginning to in some cases point to other directions."
Frequency of Crusading
While the traditional narrative emphasizes major crusading expeditions like the First, Second, and Third Crusades, Purkis explains that crusading was a continuous and widespread activity, not limited to these notable campaigns.
[06:41] William Purkis: "It's almost a continuum of activity rather than something that happens in isolated bursts at a large scale."
Chronology of Crusading
Purkis challenges the conventional start and end dates of the Crusades (1095-1291), arguing that crusading efforts extended well beyond this period and were not confined to specific centuries.
[07:01] William Purkis: "Crusading was not something that was limited to those periods."
Geographical Scope
The traditional focus on the Eastern Mediterranean overlooks crusading activities in other regions such as the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Europe. Purkis emphasizes that Latin Christian warriors engaged in various military endeavors across a broader geographical landscape.
[08:44] William Purkis: "There's a vast array of places across the Latin Christian world in which Latin Christian warriors are taking the cross to engage in acts of violence."
The Role of Medieval Historiography
Purkis examines how medieval historians' focus on political and cultural elites has influenced the modern understanding of the Crusades. This elite-centric view has led to the sidelining of numerous smaller crusading efforts that did not involve prominent leaders.
[12:04] William Purkis: "The expeditions that have the greatest attention paid to them were those led by major political figures across the Latin West."
Case Study: Alfonso I of Aragon
To illustrate the complexity of crusading activities, Purkis discusses Alfonso I of Aragon, a significant yet often overlooked figure. Alfonso's campaigns in the Iberian Peninsula were deeply intertwined with the crusading ethos, aiming to create routes to the Holy Land.
[19:21] William Purkis: "Alfonso is not somebody that has the same sort of box office recognition that somebody like Richard the Lionheart does, but he's seeking to put the resources of his kingdom into the crusading cause."
Rethinking Terminology and Perception
The discussion shifts to the terminology used to describe the Crusades. Purkis argues that labeling these events strictly as "Crusades" confines our understanding and fails to capture the broader spectrum of military and devotional activities undertaken by Latin Christians.
[25:14] William Purkis: "We need to think about it as a devotional practice that..."
He suggests adopting a more nuanced framework that views crusading as a multifaceted practice embedded within Western Christendom, rather than a series of isolated conflicts.
[28:51] William Purkis: "It's a movement away from thinking of it as definitive events and more as a movement, this practice which people could participate in and did participate in."
Implications for Modern Understanding
Purkis warns against the oversimplification of the Crusades as a binary clash between Christianity and Islam. He emphasizes that such narratives can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and ignore the diverse interactions between different cultures and religions during the Middle Ages.
[37:01] William Purkis: "There was this thing called the Crusades that were fought between medieval Christians and Muslims. That somehow was a defining mood music."
He advocates for a more comprehensive approach that acknowledges both violent and non-violent interactions, helping to dismantle the "clash of civilizations" narrative prevalent in contemporary discourse.
Conclusion: The Role of Historians Today
In wrapping up, Purkis underscores the importance of historians in unraveling the complexities of the past. By moving beyond traditional frameworks, historians can provide a more accurate and inclusive understanding of the Crusades and their impact on both medieval and modern societies.
[40:50] William Purkis: "The key lesson is to appreciate that complexity and not to be seduced by what appear to be very simplistic narratives that are used to service modern political ends."
Final Thoughts
This episode of the History Extra Podcast invites listeners to reconsider long-held beliefs about the Crusades, encouraging a more nuanced and comprehensive exploration of medieval history. By challenging traditional narratives, Professor William Purkis provides valuable insights that not only enhance our understanding of the past but also inform our perspectives on present-day intercultural relations.
Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for six months at just 99p: Join Now
Produced by Jack Bateman