Crusaders

This website draws from a growing database of named individuals considered by the project as possible “independent crusaders”. By “independent crusaders” we mean military aristocrats who are said to have undertaken (or be about to undertake) journeys to the eastern crusading frontier apart from the major, canonically-numbered crusade expeditions (e.g. the First, Second, Third and Fourth crusades). Our study so far concerns the twelfth century, a time of intense crusading activity.

Our dataset of named individuals can be accessed in a variety of ways. You can consult a list of all named individuals, grouped by decade, an alphabetical listing of individuals by first name, a map that locates each individual to a point of approximate geographic origin, and a list of major regional or princely expeditions listed chronologically under the name of the expedition’s apparent leader.

We welcome submissions of names of additional individuals who meet the criterion listed above. If you have information about an individual not mentioned on our site, please contact us at independentcrusaders@fordham.edu providing the individual’s name, any available biographical information, and the sources establishing this data. Please also state that we have your permission to use this research on our site (all contributors will be appropriately credited).  The project managers reserve the right to reject any submissions. Submissions which lack appropriate documentation will not be included.