In November of 1095 Pope Urban II launched a holy war against the infidel. In 1464 a demented pontiff led an imaginary band of crusaders as far as an Adriatic port. Between these dates Europe was infected by a strangely persistent fever of mass idealism. Though outward zeal often cloaked the most cynical of motives, this universal spirit seized upon thousands - noblemen and peasants, warriors and scholars, ascetics and lechers, vagabonds and kings.Written by a prolific author of numerous histories, novels, drama, criticisms and verse it provides a lively and authentic account of two hundred years of war, sacred journeys and the quest for loot. Henry Treece gives flesh to many renowned figures: Charlemagne, Haroun-al-Raschid, Peter the Hermit, Richard the Lion-Heart, Raymond of Toulouse, Bohemond, Saladin, Mourschid, Henry Dandolo, Frederick II, Louis the Oious and Genghis Khan.
- ISBN10 1842122444
- ISBN13 9781842122440
- Publish Date 18 January 2006 (first published 7 September 1978)
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 6 May 2004
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson History
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback
- Pages 352
- Language English