He successfully asked the Christian countrymen to volunteer as penance. (4) in a period of flux the faith of the church became a unifying force, where one was greatly needed and men of arms swore allegence to the church and followed many calls for piece within France and other nations, especially freedom from violence against the poor and the faithful. (5)
Riley-Smith also makes clear that the conditions of Islam at the time of at least the first crusade offered ripe pickings for crusaders, as it was in political turmoil with long standing warfare over the two main rival types of Islamic faith and their various leaders. (26) the transition of the crusade period to one of internal defenses rather than eastern defenses is also discussed at length and allows the reader to see the various stages and crusades inside the context of each successive movement, rather than as an independent linear event. (265)
A greater understanding of the crusade period is essential to an understanding of current conflict as there is still a great deal of concern over the history of this early "colonial" movement. The interplay of importance between the characters of old, with regard to how they motivated so many people to make the ultimate sacrifice and shed blood in the name of faith is essential to a better understanding of long held resentments between three of the most influential faiths of the modern day. Riley-Smith makes the information not only readable but enjoyable, for a historian or novice alike. The information in this work, though relatively brief is a fantastic introduction to any study of the crusade…
