This fascinating book explores the Crusades and the influential people who led them. Discover the driving forces behind historical characters like Saladin, Pope Urban II, and Richard the Lionheart.
Find out about their functions, tactics, and effects on the Crusades. Explore this interesting historical time to learn about the intricate dynamics of religious strife in the Middle Ages.
| Figure | Motivation |
| Pope Urban II | Promote Christian faith |
| Richard the Lionheart | Reclaim Holy Land |
| Saladin | Defend Muslim territories |
| Frederick Barbarossa | Expand Holy Roman Empire |
| Louis IX | Protect Christian pilgrims |
| Godfrey of Bouillon | Establish Christian rule |
| Philip II of France | Gain territorial power |
| Conrad III | Support Holy Roman Empire |
| Baldwin IV | Defend Jerusalem |
| Eleanor of Aquitaine | Influence Crusade outcomes |
| Guy de Lusignan | Regain Kingdom of Jerusalem |
| Nur ad-Din | Unify Muslim territories |
| Raymond IV | Protect County of Tripoli |
| Baldwin I | Establish Crusader states |
| Alexios I Komnenos | Recapture Anatolian lands |
| Bohemond of Taranto | Expand Norman influence |
| Al-Kamil | Maintain control of Egypt |
| Frederick II | Gain control of Jerusalem |
| Theobald IV | Secure territory in Outremer |
| Stephen of Blois | Acquire personal wealth |
| Robert of Normandy | Seek adventure and glory |
| Conrad of Montferrat | Establish his own kingdom in Outremer |
| Baldwin II | Sustain Crusader presence in Outremer |
| Philip Augustus | Expand French territories |
| Raymond III of Tripoli | Protect County of Tripoli |
| Reynald of Châtillon | Provoke Muslim retaliation |
| Bohemond IV of Antioch | Maintain Crusader presence in Antioch |
| Roger II of Sicily | Extend Sicilian influence in the Holy Land |
| Hugh I of Cyprus | Establish Crusader state in Cyprus |
| Conradin | Avenge his family’s honor and reclaim Sicily |
| Isabella of Jerusalem | Secure her rule and influence |
