Medieval perceptions evd Flashcards
(133 cards)
Impact of crusades (Southern)
Made Christians aware that Islam was the most far-reaching problem in Medieval Christendom
Made religion and founder of Islam familiar concept in West for 1st time
Only one mention of name Muhammad in Medieval literature outside Spain and Southern Italy before this date
1100
Info about Muhammad Western writers inherited from Byzantines
Concerned Muhammad’s marriage to a rich widow, his fits, plan of general sexual license as instrument for destruction of Christendom
Early Western source with info on Muhammad, by Embrico of Mainz
Vita Mahumeti, poem of 1142 Based on oral testimony
Early Western source with info on Muhammad, by Guibert of Nogent
Gesta Dei per Francos, account of the 1st Crusade, completed by 1112 Based on oral testimony
Vision of Muhammad from early Western sources
Destroyed Church of Africa and East by magic and cunning
Success through authorising promiscuity
Details such as role of white bull which terrorised the population and finally carried the new law between its horns, or account of suspension of Muhammad’s tomb in mid-air by magnets, belong to folklore
Other elements such as Muhammad’s destruction by pigs during one of his fits, are from details of Byzantine tradition
Song of Roland (oldest manuscript 1125)
Defeat of a rearguard of Charlemagne’s army, under Roland’s command, in the Pyrenean pass of Roncesvalles in year 778 at hands of local Basque tribesmen
Reworked, enemy became Muslims of Spain
Treachery - Roland hero
Muslims incorrectly identified as ‘pagans’
Pagans untrustworthy, treacherous, cruel
Saracens idolaters 3 Gods - Tervegan, Muhammad, Apollo
Barons knew ‘pagan’ enemies were doughty fighters
Prester John… has entered Persia with a powerful army; has defeated the Sultan of Persia
fear of these events has caused the Sultan of Aleppo to switch from prepping to attack Christian army at Damietta to going to fight Prester John
Papal letter to Archbishop of Trier, March 1221
Pope Urban II preaches first crusade
1095
Orders given to Byzantine soldiers regarding Koran
gather up and burn it
States there was a mosque for the Saracens in Constantinople
Handbook of Constantine Porphyrogenicos
Mother’s disappointment at Digenes’ father, an Emir, for having abandoned her and his faith. Emir simply decides to return home - clearly doesn’t see religious barrier and his perceived betrayal as insurmountable barriers to a healthy filial relationship
One religion true and the other false - Digenes’ father had to convert to Christianity to marry his mother
Digenes Akrites (twice born border soldier), poem from around 1100
Bacon, Opus Majus, sent to Pope in 1267
‘there are few Christians’
Nobody to show unbelievers the truth
Aims of Christianity wrong - perverted by desire for domination
Wars unsuccessful
Even if had been a success would’ve been useless - too much territory and capture of people would’ve enraged them, making them impossible to convert
Preaching = the only way Christendom can be enlarged
Lack of equipment - nobody knows the languages
Philosophy only means to convert - must adopt this from unbelievers, Greeks and Arabs
Islam not negative role. Part of upward movement towards unity and articulateness
Mood of reports of travellers in East during 20 years after 1268
Optimism
Battle of Manzikert
1071 Allowed Seljuks to penetrate Asia Minor
Describes arrival of Western Christian knights in Constantinople
Thought was another barbarian invasion
Anna Comnene
1st Crusade successful
1099
Sultan reconquers Jerusalem
1187
3rd Crusade fails to win Jerusalem back
1190-2
4th Crusade sets up Latin domination in Constantinople till 1261
1202-4
5th Crusade
1218-21
7th Crusade (Louis IX’s crusade)
1248-50
Fall of Antioch
1268
Fall of Acre
1291