Changing perspectives on the Crusades

Jacques Theron,Erna Oliver

doi:10.4102/hts.v74i1.4691

Abstract

The notion and consequences of the Crusades are still influencing the modern Christian (and Muslim) pattern of thinking. These ‘holy wars’, fought by members of the Roman Catholic Church, mostly against infidels (‘unbelievers’), including the Muslims of the time, lasted for several centuries and had varied levels of success. These wars were both lauded and criticised and currently these two opposite perceptions still persist. After the background to the historical setting of the Crusades, this article provides an overview of the changing viewpoints on this movement by describing the perspectives of the most prominent authors (exponents) who aired their views on the Crusades between the 16th century and the first part of the 21st century, finding that the negative perception runs like a thread through the last five centuries.

Highlights

George Orwell, in his famous publication Nineteen Eighty-four (Orwell 1949:37), declared that those who control the past control the future, while people who control the present are the ones who are controlling the past. This statement referred to the practical implications of the concept of historical revisionism that implies that history is written from the perspective of the dominant class (Gundani 2004:76)
Two examples will suffice: (1) Mommsen (2009:74) called the changing historical perspective by the Germans on events focused around the Nazi dictatorship a ‘generational shift’ that needed time and distance and the disclosing of large volumes of previously unknown evidence in order to change the general public’s interpretation of the past; and (2) South Africans are still too close to the ‘collective traumas of the past’ (Nytagodien & Neal 2004:376) for the generational shift to have a positive effect
Modern society should understand the Crusades within their historical context and not refer to them by any means in the process of addressing modern-day differences

Summary

Introduction

George Orwell, in his famous publication Nineteen Eighty-four (Orwell 1949:37), declared that those who control the past control the future, while people who control the present are the ones who are controlling the past This statement referred to the practical implications of the concept of historical revisionism that implies that history is written from the perspective of the dominant class (Gundani 2004:76). Concerning the impact and global relevance of the Crusades, it is not surprising that the historical revision of these events is still developing. This could be linked to the fact that the term ‘Crusades’ is still used in popular discourse, often with a loaded and emotional connotation. This research is limited to describing the changes in attitudes towards the Crusades over the past five centuries

Background

Conclusion