Tag Archives: Crusades

Dr Thomas Asbridge and The Crusades on BBC 2

Posted on January 18, 2012 by proverbs6to10

One of the most popular articles on the blog has always been a book review by Malaise Ruthven of Thomas Asbridge’s book about the Crusades – The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land. Tonight on BBC 2 we have … Continue reading →

Posted in Radio & TV Programmes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Crusades, Islam and Byzantium – Conference Call for Papers

Posted on September 24, 2010 by proverbs6to10

Venues: German Historical Institute London; Institute of Historical Research, London Date: 8-9 July 2011 Organisers: The Society for the Study of the Crusades and the Latin East; The German Historical Institute London; The Institute of Historical Research, London; The London … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine Events | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Normans of the South

Posted on August 19, 2010 by proverbs6to10

Last night’s episode of the excellent series was magnificent. A great story well presented, with many quotes from Anna Comnena, and images of amazing art and conquest. As Prof Bartlett said: ‘Once beaten the Normans just disappeared; they assimilated but … Continue reading →

Posted in Radio & TV Programmes | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The obituary of Sir Steven Runciman from the Telegraph

Posted on June 17, 2010 by proverbs6to10

I thought it would be worth adding the obituary of Steven Runciman to the blog. He remains one of the most senior in the Pantheon of Byzantists. I was asked recently to add more to the blog about Steven and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Saint George’s Day – Some Icons

Posted on April 23, 2010 by proverbs6to10

April 23rd is St George’s day. He is the patron saint of England as well as Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia. In a recent poll, 6% of English people feared flying the flag of St George and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

myByzantine Blog One Year On

Posted on April 6, 2010 by proverbs6to10

I could not let the first anniversary of myByzantine blog pass without some comment. What started as an attempt to discover whether there was much interest in the subject of Byzantium beyond academia, has developed into something important to me, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog News & Updates | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holy Warriors: A Modern History of the Crusades by Jonathan Phillips

Posted on March 14, 2010 by proverbs6to10

It seems our fascination with the Crusades, and the temptation to draw parallels with current tensions between Christian and Muslim, and East and West, is as popular as ever with many new books on the subject. Of course we all … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Books | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Byzantine Seminars for all at King’s College London

Posted on January 14, 2010 by proverbs6to10

For those of you who live and work in London and have an interest in Byzantium, you would certainly like the seminars run by the Department of Late Antique and Byzantine Studies at King’ College. The Spring Term programme is … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land by Thomas Asbridge and Holy Warriors: A Modern History of the Crusades by Jonathan Phillips

Posted on January 10, 2010 by proverbs6to10

Malise Ruthven admires two books that ask how modern conflicts have come to be clothed in the language of medieval holy wars   The historian Marc Bloch, who died a martyr’s death when shot by the Nazis, observed that “once … Continue reading →

Posted in Modern Books | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Conquest Legitimised: The Making of a Byzantine Emperor in Crusader Constantinople 1204-1261

Posted on December 27, 2009 by proverbs6to10

On 13th April 1204 Constantinople fell to the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade. Five men had tried to rule over Constantinople over the previous twelve months; two were dead and three had fled. As the senior crusaders entered the city, its … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walking to Find Byzantium

Posted on May 23, 2009 by proverbs6to10

I have waited until now to catch-up on the walk I have just completed with a group from the Via Egnatia Foundation. Warning this is a long post! I thought I needed time to reflect before putting finger to keyboard. … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine Travel, Via Egnatia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Walking to Byzantium

Posted on April 13, 2009 by proverbs6to10

The road would have been used by Caesar and Pompey, Octavian and Mark Anthony, Constantine himself and numerous other Byzantine Emperors as they fought to defend their Empire. It was the route used by invaders such as the Crusaders, including the infamous Bohemond who was finally defeated by Alexius near Dyrrachium (modern Durres). Continue reading →

Posted in Via Egnatia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anna Comnena’s “The Alexiad”

Posted on April 5, 2009 by proverbs6to10

Byzantium produced some well known women Empresses such as Theodora and Zoe. Perhaps the best Augusta they did not have was Anna Comnena, the Daughter of The Emperor Alexius I Comnenus who reigned from 1081 until 1118. Well, in her opinion she is the best Augusta they never had according to her excellent biography of her father known as The Alexiad. Continue reading →

Posted in Authentic Byzantine Books | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments