Gendering the Crusades

Explores the role of women in the action and culture of the Crusades - an area traditionally viewed as a male domain. It explores how society structured and imagined itself, from the Knights Templars' devotion to female saints to Anna Comnena's account of the first Crusade.Visions of the Crusades call up images of knights, soldiers, and priests. However, evidence suggests that many women played an active role in the actions and culture of the Crusades. Gendering the Crusades stands as the first substantial exploration of this comparatively neglected topic. Offering interdisciplinary readings of new and old sources that examine masculinity, gender roles, and historical narratives, these essays show the key roles played by women in the military, politics, and family life. From the Knights Templars' devotion to female saints to Anna Comnena's account of the first Crusade, all of the topics covered in the book look at the way society structures and imagines itself.