Encounter between Enemies: Captivity and Ransom in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

by Yvonne Friedman

This fascinating study examines the customs, legal codes, and socioeconomic mechanisms that evolved from the initial Christian-Muslim encounter on Crusader battlefields. It pinpoints changes in European mentality, and conduct of war, tracing acculturation processes in Frankish society in the Levant. These changes emerged from the need to redeem captives, making payment of ransom to the infidel conceivable and acceptable. The book pays special attention to the story of the vanquished, to the situation of women, to the behavior of the Military Orders toward captives, and to the image of the captive in Crusader literature, in the context of making war and peace.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Eric Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid but at times tough to read. If you are not from a history background this could be rough. For anyone, I recommend you read a general book on the crusades then tackle this.