Christie - Muslims and Crusaders: Christianitys Wars in the Middle East, 1095-1382, From the Islamic Sources: Christianitys Wars in the Middle East, 1095-1382, From the Islamic Sources

Muslims and Crusaders supplements and counterbalances the numerous books that tell the story of the crusading period from the European point of view, enabling readers to achieve a broader and more complete perspective on the period. It presents the Crusades from the perspective of those against whom they were waged, the Muslim peoples of the Levant. The book introduces the reader to the most significant issues that affected their responses to the European crusaders and their descendants who would go on to live in the Latin Christian states that were created in the region.

This book combines chronological narrative, discussion of important areas of scholarly enquiry and evidence from primary sources to give a well-rounded survey of the period. It considers not only the military meetings between Muslims and crusaders, but also the personal, political, diplomatic and trade interactions that took place between Muslims and Franks away from the battlefield. Through the use of a wide range of translated primary source documents, including chronicles, dynastic histories, religious and legal texts and poetry, the people of the time are able to speak to us in their own voices.

Niall Christie received his PhD in Islamic History from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, in 2000. He teaches the history of Europe and the Middle East at Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. He is the author of numerous articles and The Book of the Jihad of Ali ibn Tahir al-Sulami (d. 1106): Text, Translation and Commentary (in press).

History is the narrative constructed by historians from traces left by the past. Historical enquiry is often driven by contemporary issues and, in consequence, historical narratives are constantly reconsidered, reconstructed and reshaped. The fact that different historians have different perspectives on issues means that there is often controversy and no universally agreed version of past events. Seminar Studies was designed to bridge the gap between current research and debate, and the broad, popular general surveys that often date rapidly.

The volumes in the series are written by historians who are not only familiar with the latest research and current debates concerning their topic, but who have themselves contributed to our understanding of the subject. The books are intended to provide the reader with a clear introduction to a major topic in history. They provide both a narrative of events and a critical analysis of contemporary interpretations. They include the kinds of tools generally omitted from specialist monographs: a chronology of events, a glossary of terms and brief biographies of whos who. They also include bibliographical essays in order to guide students to the literature on various aspects of the subject. Students and teachers alike will find that the selection of documents will stimulate the discussion and offer insight into the raw materials used by historians in their attempt to understand the past.

Clive Emsley and Gordon Martel
Series Editors

Muslims and Crusaders

Christianitys Wars in the Middle East,
10951382, from the Islamic Sources

Niall Christie

First published 2014
by Routledge
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2014 Niall Christie

The right of Niall Christie to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Christie, Niall.
Muslims and Crusaders : Christianitys Wars in the Middle East, 10951382, from the Islamic Sources / Niall Christie.
pages cm. (Seminar Studies in History)
Summary: Muslims and Crusaders presents the Crusades from the perspective of those against whom they were waged, the Muslim peoples of the Levant Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Crusades. 2. IslamRelationsChristianityHistoryTo 1500.
3. Christianity and other religionsIslamHistoryTo 1500. 4. Muslims Middle EastHistoryTo 1500. I. Title.
D157.C474 2014
909.07dc23
2013047621

ISBN: 978-1-138-02273-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-02274-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-77389-6 (ebk)

Typeset in 10/13.5pt ITC Berkeley
by Graphicraft Limited, Hong Kong

For Mum, Dad, Katie, Morag and Iona my first teachers,

For my students, past and present educators all,

And as always, for Steph my constant guide.