First Crusaders, 1095–1131

Much has been written about the crusades, but very little about the crusaders. What moved them to go? What preparations did they need to make? How did they react to their experiences? This book comes up with detailed answers to these questions, and offers the first systematic reading of a large cache of contemporary source-material. Clusters of crusaders can be identified in individual family groups, and the collective commitment of these claims manifested itself in support for the new settlements in the east. Indeed, crusading was so dependent upon the support and enthusiasm of family groups that the movement was open to domination by them: the example of the Montlhéry clan is cited, who tried to seize control of the crusading movement in the 1120s.