Chronicles of the Crusades (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Jean de Joinville (Author), Geffroy de Villehardouin (Author), Margaret R. B. Shaw (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1963

Composed by soldiers who fought in the Holy Wars, these two famous French chronicles are among the most important portrayals of both the dark and light side of the two hundred year struggle for possession of Jerusalem. The first trustworthy and fully informed history of the Crusades, Villehardouin's Conquest of Constantinople describes the era of the Fourth Crusade the period between 1199 and 1207, during which a planned battle with Moslem forces ironically culminated in war against Eastern Christians that led to the sacking of Constantinople. The Life of Saint Louis, by Joinville, was inspired by the author's close attachment to the pious King Louis, and focuses on the years between 1226 and 1270. It provides a powerful, personal insight into the brutal battles and the fascinating travels of one nobleman, fighting in the Sixth and Seventh Crusades.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

GEOFFREY OF VILLEHARDOUIN was born in around 1150 in the county of Champagne, east of Paris. In 1185 he was appointed to the office of marshal of Champagne, a post that nurtured both his administrative and military expertise. Having taken a crusade vow in 1199 he was subsequently appointed as an envoy and was privy to crucial decisions made by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade, which ended in the conquest of Constantinople from its Greek Christian rulers in April 1204. Villehardouin was appointed as marshal in the Latin empire of Constaninople. It was probably in late 1207 that he began dictating The Conquest of Constantinople, his only know written work and perhaps the earliest example of historical writing in French prose. He died between 1212 and 1218, in circumstances that remain obscure. JOHN OF JOINVILLE was born in 1224 or 1225 into a family prominent in the county of Champagne. In 1233 he inherited the office of seneschal of Champagne that would igive him a leading role in the administrative affairs of the county. He joined the first cruade led by King Louis IX of France, and in 1248 set out on a campaign that would take him to Egypt and the Near East over its six-year course. Joinville became a close friend of Louis IX and after their return to France he was a familiar figure at the royal court, but refused to join Louis on his second crusade. He honoured Louis's memory by giving evidence to the enquiry that established his friend's sanctity and by composing The Life of Saint Louis, which he completed in 1309. Joinville died eight years later, at the age of at least ninety-two. CAROLINE SMITH studied History at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, from where she graduated with a Ph.D. in 2004. Her publications include Crusading in the Age of Joinville (2006). She lives and works in New York, where she continues to pursue her research on the crusades and thirteenth-century French society, and on the life and writings of John of Joinville. Margaret Shaw received a first from Oxford in languages, after which she taught in Bradford, before moving to Paris. She did research on Laurence Sterne and published a book about his 'Letter to Eliza'. She became a tutor at St Hugh's, Oxford and translated Stendhal for the Penguin Classics. She died in 1963.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (August 30, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140441247
• ISBN-13: 978-0140441246
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two of the most readable accounts of the Crusades, January 23, 2003

By 

Glenn McDorman (Denver) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chronicles of the Crusades (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

These two accounts are highly readable, and it is wonderful to have them packaged together like this. Geoffrey's chronicle of the 4th Crusade (the one that sacked Constantinople) is an awesome perspective on an often-maligned event. Jean's account of the 7th Crusade and the life of St. Louis is even better. With Jean we catch a rare glimpse of a sensitive warrior fully capable of expressing a wide range of moods and emotions. Both chronicles are well worth reading and will provide the historian and the non-historian alike with hours of enjoyment.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crusades through European eyes, February 12, 2006

By 

doc peterson (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Chronicles of the Crusades (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

The two accounts in _Chronicles of the Crusades_ provide readers with fascinating accounts of the 4th and 7th crusades. Villehardoun's observations of the sack of Constantinople leave some questions regarding whether it was a conspiracy to destroy the city or not; ultimately it is up to the reader to decide... It does, however, provide a window into 12th century warfare and politics.

Joinville's chronicle of the 7th crusade into the Holy Land was similarly fascinating, providing more information about a European's impressions of the Near East and Christian-Islamic conflict than Villehardoun. I much preferred Joinville for this reason. Together, both accounts provide a well-rounded history of the time and place - a tremendously interesting read for professional and armchair historians alike.

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chronicles of the Crusades, April 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Chronicles of the Crusades (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

These are both excellent accounts of the crusades. Villehardouin proves insightful in what he does not say. A small army of crusaders faces unbelievable odds in Constantinople and yet somehow they conquer and hold this territory. It brings up the question of whether the conquest was an accident or a conspiracy, and a reader can answer that question through careful reading. There are other books wholly committed to this argument of conspiracy vs. accident.

Joinville gives an equally appreciable account of a crusade, this time a failed attempt in Egypt by Saint Louis. Joinville is an author that gives a huge amount of information. The integrity of Louis is apparent as well as the mistakes made by the crusaders (Joinville rarely places direct blame of any failure on Louis, noting instead Louis's brother and his failures.)

This is a well introduced book and is not difficult to read in my opinion.