Category Archives: Medieval History

First Council of Lyons

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Council of Leon & accompanying text, Novellae of Pope Innocent IV, glossed by Bernardus Compostellanus Junior, MS 1. Syracuse University Library, Department of Special Collections.

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

Robert of Clari: The Conquest of Constantinople

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The Surrender of Constantinople During the IV Crusade, mosaic of 1213, Basilica of San Giovanni Evangelista, Ravenna.

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

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Peter the Hermit leading the First Crusade, Abreviamen de las estorias, 14th century.

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