The Medieval Podcast: The Crusades with Andrew Latham

Release Date: January 23, 2019
Host: Danielle Cybulski
Guest: Dr. Andrew Latham, Associate Professor of Political Science at Macalester College

Introduction

In Episode Four of The Medieval Podcast, host Danielle Cybulski welcomes Dr. Andrew Latham to delve deep into the complexities of the Crusades. Dr. Latham, known for his works The Holy Lands and Theorizing Medieval War and World Order in the Age of the Crusades, brings a nuanced perspective to the enduring fascination with the Crusades, exploring the intricate interplay between religion, warfare, and politics in medieval Europe.

1. The Medieval Church as a Military Power

Dr. Latham begins by examining the emergence of the Church as a formidable military power around the year 1000. He explains, “The Church...is developing the same kind of infrastructure, judicial, financial and military” as emerging Western European states ([02:48]). Unlike secular states, the Church initially exerted military influence indirectly, utilizing spiritual incentives to mobilize temporal leaders for armed campaigns. This dynamic evolved with the establishment of religious military orders like the Templars and Hospitallers, granting the Church direct control over disciplined and well-funded military forces dedicated to the Holy Land, the Baltic, and the Reconquista in Spain.

2. The Reconciliation of Warrior and Christian Identity

A central theme of the discussion is the inherent tension medieval warriors faced in reconciling their martial roles with Christian piety. Dr. Latham notes, “...lay piety is on the rise... armed nobility... had to find a way of squaring the circle” ([05:44]). The Church's solution emerged with the concept of the Crusade, offering warriors a path to spiritual redemption through armed pilgrimage, thereby allowing them to maintain their status as both Christians and warriors.

3. The Conceptual Framework of the Crusades

Dr. Latham outlines the intellectual underpinnings of the Crusades, referring to Michel Villy’s “Great Synthesis,” which combines the notions of holy war, just war theory, and penitential violence ([08:08]). He explains, “holy war...just cause...penitential violence” created a framework where warfare could be sanctified and aligned with Christian morality, laying the groundwork for the formal Crusades that began in 1095.

4. Overview of the Crusades in the Holy Land

Providing a historical overview, Dr. Latham recounts the nine numbered Crusades from 1095 to 1291, highlighting key events such as the capture and loss of Jerusalem ([10:46]). The First Crusade resulted in the establishment of Crusader states, primarily aimed at liberating Jerusalem. Subsequent Crusades, particularly after Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem in 1187, became largely defensive efforts to reclaim the Holy City and maintain Christian presence in the region.

5. The Third Crusade and Richard the Lionheart

Focusing on the Third Crusade, Dr. Latham explores the objectives and strategies of key figures like Richard the Lionheart of England and Philip of France ([13:24]). He challenges traditional narratives by suggesting that Richard's primary goal was not the outright capture of Jerusalem but rather securing strategic positions like Ascalon to leverage negotiations with Saladin ([18:32]). According to Dr. Latham, Richard aimed for a sustainable and negotiated settlement rather than a mere military conquest, demonstrating a more strategic and pragmatic approach.

6. Saladin's Political Power and Strategy

Dr. Latham offers a critical analysis of Saladin’s role, asserting that Saladin’s political power was more fragile than often portrayed ([20:22]). He argues that Saladin’s reputation for being unbeatable was crucial in maintaining the cohesion of his empire, but this reputation also masked underlying vulnerabilities. Dr. Latham states, “His real source of strength is his reputation...if you take the unbeatable away, he’s just got the ruthlessness left” ([22:26]).

7. Negotiations and Cross-Civilizational Relations

The conversation highlights the complexities of medieval geopolitics, where religious differences did not preclude negotiation and alliance-making. Dr. Latham emphasizes that both Christians and Muslims engaged in pragmatic negotiations and alliances despite overarching religious conflicts ([27:29]). He explains, “There were a lot of cross civilizational alliances... it's a much more complicated picture than I think most people realize” ([29:17]).

8. Lessons for Contemporary Geopolitics

Drawing parallels to modern times, Dr. Latham underscores the importance of understanding religious motivations in historical and contemporary conflicts. He challenges contemporary perceptions that dismiss religious motivations as primitive or simplistic, arguing that religious conviction remains a potent force in shaping geopolitical landscapes today ([30:00]). This insight encourages a more nuanced understanding of current Middle Eastern dynamics by learning from medieval precedents.

9. The Complexity of Motivations

Dr. Latham concludes by reiterating the multifaceted motivations behind the Crusades, which encompassed religious zeal, economic interests, and the pursuit of power ([33:15]). He stresses that recognizing the blend of these factors provides a more comprehensive understanding of the Crusades and their enduring legacy.

Notable Quotes

• On the Church's military role: “The Church...is developing the same kind of infrastructure, judicial, financial and military” ([02:48]).

• On reconciling warrior and Christian identities: “They had to find a way of squaring the circle” ([05:44]).

• On Saladin's strategy: “His real source of strength is his reputation...if you take the unbeatable away, he’s just got the ruthlessness left” ([22:26]).

• On modern parallels: “There's a real religious dimension to this and it can't be ignored, and it's not a smokescreen” ([34:10]).

Conclusion

Dr. Andrew Latham’s insightful analysis dispels simplistic notions of the Crusades as purely religious wars, revealing a complex tapestry of strategic, economic, and spiritual motivations. By exploring the intricate dynamics between the medieval Church, secular powers, and key historical figures, this episode offers listeners a deeper appreciation of the Crusades' profound impact on medieval and modern geopolitics.

Further Information

To explore more of Andrew Latham's work on medieval geopolitics, follow him on Twitter @Latham. His books The Holy Lands and Theorizing Medieval Geopolitics are available on Amazon, with a forthcoming title from Arkansas Humanities Press.

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