The military orders and the conversion of Muslims in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries

Abstract

Descriptions of the activities of military orders only rarely included any reference to the conversion of Muslims, and in practice the orders did not seek to impose Christianity by force. They were at times also reluctant to allow voluntary conversions among their Muslim vassals and slaves, although claims that they sought to prevent Muslims in neighbouring Islamic territories from accepting Christianity are questionable. The explanation of the attitudes displayed by the orders is not to be found in the fear of losing their raison d'être or in the extent of their understanding of the Islamic faith: they were adopting current attitudes, which were based on economic advantage and probably also on perceptions of the nature of Islamic society. As more attention came to be devoted in the West to missionary work, some criticised the orders' military activities for hindering peaceful missions, while it was also argued — for example by Lull — that the orders should engage in the work of conversion, using force as well as preaching. But the writings of theorists had little practical effect.