This book explores the motivations, preparations and experiences of the first crusaders between 1095 and 1131. Examining the religious and social environment of the time, it sheds light on how nobles and knights responded to the call for a penitential war.
The narrative reveals the crucial role of family groups in supporting the crusades, identifying clusters of crusaders within clans and their contribution to new settlements in the East. It further considers how the movement was open to domination by such families, using the Montlhéry clan as a case study.
Using contemporary source material, the author provides a systematic reading, offering detailed answers to the questions of what moved these individuals, what they needed to do to prepare, and how they reacted to this important period.
