The First Council of Lyons (A.D. 1245) was convoked by Pope Innocent IV “that the Church, through the salutary counsel of the faithful and their fruitful help, may have the dignity of its proper position; that assistance may speedily be brought to the unhappy crisis in the Holy Land and the sufferings of the Eastern Empire; that a remedy may be found against the Tartars and other enemies of the faith and persecutors of the Christian people; further, for the issue between the Church and the Emperor”. During this Council, Innocent IV formally pronounced Frederick II as deprived of kingdom and empire. Image above links to Tanner translation of the Council decrees. ISBN recommendation: 0-87840-490-2
Category Archives: Medieval History
Robert of Clari: The Conquest of Constantinople
A fascinating eyewitness account of the Fourth Crusade and the infamous siege and sack (A.D. 1204) of Constantinople. Image above links to Google Books entry. ISBN recommendation: 0-231-13669-2. See also Appendix I, Memory and Reconciliation, for a reflection upon historic grave violations of charity by representatives of the Catholic community.
Fulcher of Chartres: A History of the Expedition to Jerusalem, 1095-1127
The First Crusade was initiated, in the name of Christ by Pope Urban II, for the recovery of Romanian (Byzantine) territory (including the Holy Land) from the Turks and Arabs. Fulcher of Chartes was a participant in the Crusade and served as chaplain to Baldwin I. A History of the Expedition to Jerusalem (Gesta Francorum Iherusalem peregrinantium) provides an absorbing chronicle of the martial pilgrimage. Image links to Edward Peters edition. ISBN recommendation: 0393094235
Monk of Saint Gall: The Life of Charlemagne
A near contemporary account of additional anecdotes regarding Charlemagne and his reign. Supplements Einhard’s chronicle. Image links to Grant translation. ISBN recommendation: 0140455051
Einhard: The Life of Charlemagne
Contemporary biography of Charlemagne (born 742, died 814), first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, whose coronation signaled the end to Constantinople’s claim to dominion of Rome. Image links to Turner translation. ISBN recommendation: 0140455051