Eyewitness and Crusade Narrative: Perception and Narration in Accounts of the Second, Third and Fourth Crusades

The idea of what an "eyewitness" account is here scrutinised through examination of key Crusading texts.

Eyewitness is a familiar label that historians apply to numerous pieces of evidence. It carries compelling connotations of trustworthiness and particular proximity to the lived experience of historical actors. But it has received surprisingly little critical attention.
This book seeks to open up discussion of what we mean when we label a historical source in this way. Through a close anal...