

Rewriting the First Crusade
Sep 6, 2024
Dr. Thomas Smith, a leading historian of the Crusades, joins Matt Lewis to unravel the complexities of the First Crusade. They discuss how a collection of 22 crusader letters challenges traditional narratives and underscores authenticity issues in medieval scholarship. Dr. Smith introduces the concept of 'textual archaeology,' revealing original manuscripts beneath later alterations. The conversation also explores how local agendas shaped crusade narratives, inviting listeners to rethink their perceptions of this pivotal historical event.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Revisiting Crusader Epistles
01:37 • 15min
Evaluating Authenticity of Medieval Letters
16:58 • 3min
Uncovering Layers of Textual Archaeology in Historical Manuscripts
19:56 • 3min
Reinterpreting the First Crusade
23:21 • 23min
Reassessing the First Crusade and Engaging with Medieval History
45:57 • 2min