Medieval Warfare Summary

Professor John France 's article, "Crusading Warfare and Its Adaptation to Eastern Conditions in the Twelfth Century" provides a detailed account of the alterations European and Muslim crusaders conducted to their styles of combat throughout the twelfth century to adapt to Eastern conditions. The article offers ___________________________. France primarily argues that the role of cavalry during the twelfth century has been amplified by previous historical accounts. ____(how author makes his point)___________ Professor Peter Burkholder 's article, "Popular [Mis]conceptions of Medieval Warfare" provides an explanation as to why video games and film interpretations of medieval warfare is a useful tool for learning about the medieval period.

To write a successful paper, I would incorporate other sources aside from Burkholder and France 's journal articles. Additional articles would be sought that investigate other crusades primary sources for their accuracies or inaccuracies. Furthermore, I would evaluate firsthand accounts from the time period as well as if the purpose of the writing had an impact on its delivery or content. Comprehending motivations behind why a piece was written whether for entertainment or political reasons, is vital to distinguish if the information provided is fact or fiction. Most importantly, I would incorporate Islamic sources and compare their accounts of events to those within Latin Christian sources. The search for parallels between both the Latin Christian and Islamic perspectives of the same events and concepts can help to eliminate biases the groups present of another. It is important to remember since the crusades were a series of holy wars, sources each group wrote about the other, would be written to make the enemy appear weak or ruthless. Meanwhile accounts describing themselves would have elements of victimization and an exaggeration of success or bravery. History is told in the perspective of those wrote the source, therefore Latin Christian crusading sources will present a bias against their Islamic

Overall to further develop the potential essay topic of the misunderstood history of the crusades due to inaccurate primary sources, resources and articles aside from France and Burkholder 's journals would be included to further develop the general thesis. A thorough exploration of this particular topic may investigate subtopics such as secondary misinterpretations of firsthand accounts, the impact of social prejudice and political pressures on the writing of primary sources. A comprehensive analysis of the potential essay topic will go beyond the original arguments and ideas of the authors to prove or disprove France and Burkholder 's general theory scholarly articles have reinforced inaccuracies