Crusader Syria in the Thirteenth Century

This book presents an English translation of the Rothelin continuation, a significant narrative about the Crusades and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 13th century.

This text offers an English translation of the Rothelin continuation, a significant narrative detailing the history of the Crusades and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem during the mid-13th century. The Old French Rothelin Continuation of William of Tyre’s Historia is particularly noteworthy for its vivid accounts covering the years 1229 to 1261. It recounts the disastrous expeditions led by Count Theobald of Champagne from 1239 to 1240 and King Louis IX of France from 1248 to 1254, alongside other crucial events in the region.

Beyond the military campaigns, the text provides an intricate portrayal of Jerusalem itself, including songs of dissent from the crusaders and a variety of adventures. These narratives encompass tales of Alexander the Great and the poisonous snakes faced by the Roman army under Cato, enriching our understanding of the period. For the first time, this work is translated into English, alongside a narrative from another Old French Continuation of William of Tyre’s work, part of L’Estoire de Eracles.

The translation is sourced from the Receuil des historiens des croisades: Historiens occidentaux vol. 2 (Paris, 1859). An introduction and comprehensive notes make the events and thoughts of the 13th century more accessible to students of medieval history and anyone intrigued by the lives and perspectives of people from that era. Crusader Syria in the Thirteenth Century thus serves as an invaluable resource for understanding this fascinating historical landscape.