The Conquest of Lisbon: De expugnatione Lyxbonensi

by Charles Wendell David (Translator), Jonathan Phillips (Foreword by)

Overview

Although the Crusades are generally thought of in terms of the European attempt to conquer and colonize the Holy Land, from the twelfth century onward crusading also involved the "reconquest" of the Iberian peninsula from the Muslims. This eyewitness account of the capture of Lisbon in 1147 by the combined forces of King Alfonso Henriques of Portugal and a fleet of crusaders from the Anglo-Norman realm, Flanders, and the Rhineland is one of the richest and most exciting sources to survive from this period. Far more than just a narrative, De expugnatione Lyxbonensi vividly conveys the tensions between the secular and spiritual motives of a crusading army, as well as revealing a wealth of information on medieval warfare, the development of crusading ideology and holy war, and Muslim views of the crusaders.

The new foreword by Jonathan Phillips provides insight to the latest scholarship on the integral place of the Lisbon expedition in the Second Crusade, the identity of the text's author, and his message for crusaders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231121231
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	02/14/2001
Series:	Records of Western Civilization Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.62(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Charles Wendell David (1885–1984) received a doctorate from Harvard University in 1918 and taught history at Bryn Mawr College from 1918 to 1940. In 1940 he became professor of history and the first full-time Director of Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Phillips is a lecturer in medieval history at Royal Holloway College, University of London.

What People are Saying About This

John France

This source provides a superb illustration of medieval siege methods.

— John France, University of Wales, Swansea

Editorial Reviews

This reprint of the 1936 side-by-side Latin text and English translation of the 12th-century account of one of the only successes of the second Crusade is accompanied by its original, lengthy introduction by David (European history, Bryn Mawr College) and a new foreword and bibliography by Jonathan Phillips (Royal Holloway, U. of London, England). The latter includes a general introduction to the Crusades, the involvement in Crusader thinking and excursions by Iberian Christians, including Afonso Henriques of Portugal, and a review of the scholarship, making this a well-balanced text useful for the undergraduate classroom as well as more specialized study. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Ably translated into English by Charles David, The Conquest Of Lisbon (De Expugnatione Lyxbonensi) is an eyewitness account of the capture of Lisbon in 1147 by the combined forces of King Alfonso Henriques of Portugal and a fleet of crusaders from the Anglo-Norman kingdoms. More than a dry historical narrative, the author vividly conveys the tensions and rivalries between the secular and spiritual factors of a twelfth century crusade, as well as tremendous and descriptive insights into medieval warfare, the development of crusading ideology and the concept of a Christian "holy war"; as well as Muslim views of the invading crusaders. An informative foreword by Jonathan Phillips provides an update on the scholarship regarding the integral place of the Lisbon expedition in the Second Crusade, the identity of the text's author, and the author's intent for his compelling history. The Conquest Of Lisbon is also available in hardcover (0231121229, $45.00) and is an essential addition to any Medieval Studies collection.