The origins of the <i>Gesta Francorum</i> and two related texts: their textual and literary character

Niskanen, Samu

doi:10.1484/j.se.1.103177

Cited by 7 publications

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“…11. Niskanen , 2012. Cet article pèche malheureusement par une excessive assurance sur des problèmes qui sont plus complexes que l'auteur semble le penser.…”

Section: Resultsunclassified

Comment Roger de Barneville est-il mort ? Sur les rapports entre les chroniques latines de la première croisade

D’Angelo¹

2017

tabularia

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“…11. Niskanen , 2012. Cet article pèche malheureusement par une excessive assurance sur des problèmes qui sont plus complexes que l'auteur semble le penser.…”

Section: Resultsunclassified

Comment Roger de Barneville est-il mort ? Sur les rapports entre les chroniques latines de la première croisade

D’Angelo¹

2017

tabularia

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“…The notion that the surviving version of the Gesta Francorum was the work of a simple knight 23 has been challenged by Oehler, Morris and Flori, who suggested that the original text, possibly produced by a Norman crusader in Bohemond's army, would have been revised for further use in France during Bohemond's journey. 24 Since the Gesta is likely to have been circulating in France in early 1106 (Riley-Smith 1986, p. 137;Niskanen 2012;France 2022;Naus 2014), Niskanen, Krey, Poncelet and Oehler have suggested that the extant version, whether a revision of an older text or not, was produced in conjunction with Bohemond's vigorous promotion of the new crusade 25 , whereas Biddlecombe has claimed that the Gesta had been circulating in France already before Bohemond's arrival (Baudri of Dol 2014, pp. lvii-viii).…”

Section: Bohemond Of Tarantomentioning

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Leadership on Crusade: Military Excellence, Physical Action and Gender in the Twelfth-Century Chronicles of the First Crusade and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

Kangas

2023

Religions

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It is hardly surprising that in the chronicles of the First Crusade (1096–1099) and in the Chronicon of William of Tyre, accounts propagating Christian warfare, impressiveness, authority and command stem from military actions blessed by God. In the depictions, the position of being a leader is constructed and maintained by a public display of martial ability, by deeds rather than by words. The sources certainly describe aristocratic warriors influencing their peers or larger mixed audiences by speech, but in these cases too, to be successful, the grasp on command normally requires that physical effort follows the communications. The narratives equate physical action with the motives, values and beliefs of the first crusaders. The initiative aimed at achieving leadership is often described approvingly, but the sources also criticize the leaders for manipulative behaviour and unwillingness to cooperate with each other. The judgement of the sources depends on authorial agenda and dynastic rivalries: the leaders of the First Crusade, here especially Bohemond of Taranto (c. 1054–1111), Tancred of Hauteville (c. 1078–1112) and the successors of Godfrey of Bouillon (c. 1060–1100), understood the relation between written history and the claim on power and actively contributed to the production of the heroic image of the first crusaders, that is, the highlighting of their own alleged excellence as leaders. For these three leaders, a cultural legacy, whether initiated during their lifetime or posthumously, was crucial to creating a lasting image of effective leadership. The case of Peter the Hermit, a preacher from Amiens with a supposedly low social background, is different. The fact that chroniclers and composers of chansons included a figure without military expertise and verifiable support from kin and allies among the leaders of the First Crusade, albeit in a controversial manner, bears evidence in itself of his recognition by medieval audiences. Leadership is a gendered talent in the twelfth-century chronicles. The close relation between command and military action on the one hand, and the categorical exclusion of women from the field of battle on the other, discouraged depictions of female leadership in the crusading context. As a result, women were excluded from the leadership of the First Crusade, and references to female authority did not appear in the sources until several decades later in an altered context, with Queen Melisende of Jerusalem (c. 1105–1161) being the clearest example. In her case, too, gender formed a barrier to action and leadership. William of Tyre’s description of her reign is ambivalent, while her sister Alice’s (c. 1110—after 1151) claim to the regency of Antioch is portrayed negatively. This article compares the models and qualities of the leaders of the First Crusade in medieval sources. The first section considers modern definitions of imposing (charismatic) authority and ties the discussion to the overarching theme of exploring medieval crusader leadership. The second part examines the examples of the leaders of Antioch and Jerusalem and their cultural legacy in the chronicles.

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The Letters of Stephen of Blois Reconsidered

Parsons

2018

Crusades

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The origins of the Gesta Francorum and two related texts: their textual and literary character

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Comment Roger de Barneville est-il mort ? Sur les rapports entre les chroniques latines de la première croisade

Comment Roger de Barneville est-il mort ? Sur les rapports entre les chroniques latines de la première croisade

Leadership on Crusade: Military Excellence, Physical Action and Gender in the Twelfth-Century Chronicles of the First Crusade and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

The Letters of Stephen of Blois Reconsidered

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