Thomas Asbridge

The Wars between Medieval Christians and Muslims

The Wars between medieval Christians and Muslims in what was known as the Holy Land are referred to by Thomas Asbridge as the Crusades. He asserts that Christians in Western Europe started the first Crusade 900 years ago. The Crusades were accompanied by extraordinary activities in which pilgrimages were sent to subdue Muslims and protect the Holy Land while being heavily armed. These incidents all happened in the name of Christ. Muslims had started to infiltrate Western Christendom, which led them (Christians) to reassess their theological principles in the direction of a religious conflict. (Couchtripper).

Chivalrous Fury and Medieval Christian Combatants

Thomas describes the chivalrous fury and medieval Christian combatants of the first crusades. The pilgrimages believed that God inspired their mission to defend the Holy Land. In fact, they believed that Christians’ souls could only be cleansed through fighting and killing of their Muslim brothers. King Richard, also known as the Lionheart, is most remembered for his fearless leadership that led Christians into the Third Crusade. Thomas describes how the Medieval clash between Christians in the West and the Islam has shaped the modern world. In 1983, the pilgrimage in Lebanon massacred more than three thousand Muslims of the Shatila and Sabra refugee camps. The bitterness and rivalry we experience today were founded on the history of events in Byzantium, where Muslim Turks threatened to conquer Constantinople. According to Pope Urban II, this Holy War was meant to defend the Holy Land. However, some critics believe that the anti-Islamic onslaught was founded on propaganda. Terry Jones equates the Holy War to fasting and praying in the modern world. JK Galbraith emphasizes that the events of the Vietnam War were similar to those seen in the Crusades (Couchtripper).

Motives of the Crusaders and Modern Christians

In the 21st century, violence has been regarded as an abomination. Although the Crusaders lived in an evil error, most of them believed they were fighting and killing for Christ thus opening their doors to heaven. Christians today believe that they can only open the door to heaven through devoting their lives to Christ. Dying in a Holy War for Crusaders was a way of cleansing their souls. Modern Christians cleanse their souls through repentance and offering sacrifices. The central motive for the crusaders was faith although they lacked knowledge and wisdom. The Crusaders were so much devoted to the Holy War but had little self-righteousness and understanding. Modern audiences have been quick to judge as well as condemn the events of the Holy War. However, they need to examine these events in the time in which they took place. According to Crusaders, these events were founded on love, piety, and charity which relates to what modern Christians emphasize. The Modern world criticizes the Crusader for actions that are cynically evil or morally repugnant. I believe the Crusader would condemn the modern world for engaging in destructive wars that are waged for sociological and political ideologies. The bottom line remains that people in both societies, i.e., the medieval and modern society fight and defend what they treasure most (Couchtripper).

Transformations and Perceptions

Crusades have continued to transform after middle ages. Literature and arts romanticize crusades. Although European national lost the Holy Land, crusades have never been forgotten. Many perceptions of Europeans about the Muslim world are rooted based on the experiences of the crusades in the past. Thomas Asbridge has used the events of the Crusades and the recent War to emphasize that political and sociological changes have influenced our interpretation of the Holy War (Couchtripper).

Works Cited

Couchtripper. “Crusades, The- A Timewatch Guide-2015-HD.” 2017. Dailymotion. 8 December 2017 .