The Crusades as seen through the eyes of Muslims
A significant contribution to the understanding of the medieval holy wars between Christians and Muslims, this volume brings together the best and most complete eyewitness account of the Crusades from the perspective of a medieval Muslim writer. Focusing on twelfth-century Arab aristocrat Usama ibn Munqidh's Book of Contemplationbut also including extracts from The Book of the Staff and Kernels of Refinement, this volume offers a strikingly human portrayal of Islamic perspectives on day-to-day existence, warfare, and the curious European invaders.
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Chronology of Events in the Life of Usama ibn Munqidh
IN THE SERVICE OF THE ATABEG ZANGI
IN THE SERVICE OF THE BURIDS OF DAMASCUS
Factional Fighting among the Black Troops
Al-Zafir as Caliph and the Coup of Ibn al-Sallar
A Mission to Syria and Starving Bedouin at al-Jafr
‘Abbas as Vizier and the Murder of Ibn al-Sallar
A Military Revolt against ‘Abbas
Civil Strife: ‘Abbas Abandons Egypt to Ibn Ruzzik
Usama’s Family Delivered. The Franks Seize his Property
Malik al-Ashtar and Abu Musayka
A ‘Master’s Blow’ is Not what it Seems
Varieties of God’s Will: The Opposing Fates of a Warrior and an Artisan
Thief-Stories: The Bandit al-Zamarrakal Belittles his Wounds
A Soldier Killed by a Chisel-Headed Arrow
A Warlord Killed by a Trifling Wound
A Warrior’s Wedding Garb Proves Fatal
An Aged Retainer Strikes a Devastating Blow
Two Horsemen Felled with one Blow
A Reminiscence about that Aged Retainer
Usama’s Father: A Great Warrior who Died in his Bed
Tales of Bravery: Usama’s Uncle and Father
Jum’a al-Numayri Rescues his Son from the Franks
More than Meets the Eye: A Frank Miraculously Recovers
Usama Gratefully Fails to Kill two Foes
The Status of the Knight among the Franks
An Encounter with Tancred of Antioch
One Frankish Knight Routs Four Muslim Horsemen
A Lone Knight Thwarts the Army of Mawdud
One Man Defeats Many: Two Examples
Single-Handed Feats at the Battle of Kafartab
A Soldier from Shayzar Attacks a Frankish Caravan
A Group of Soldiers is Forced by one Man to Flee
One Man Captures a Fort by Treachery
The Value of one Good Man: The Case of Yunan of Tripoli
Relief after Misfortune: Escape from a Frankish Prison
Usama Ransoms Muslim Captives at Acre
An Amazing Escape: Conspiracy at Amid
Examples of Ignorance: Playing with Fire
An Example of Reason: A Soldier Fends off a Lion
On Reason and Governance: The Cases of Shayzar and Diyar Bakr
Good Governance Offers Rich Rewards: The Cases of Bitlis and Qal’at Ja’bar
Neither Courage nor Strength is Proof against Fate
Examples of God’s Benevolence: An Ascetic is Concealed from the Franks
God’s Benevolence: A Prisoner of the Byzantines is Freed
A Vision of the Prophet Rescues a Prisoner
Motives for Fighting: Two Muslim Martyrs during the Second Crusade
Fighting from a Sense of Commitment: Faris the Kurd
Speaking of Horses: Stout-Hearted Steeds
The Varieties of Creation: A Soldier Dies from a Trifling Wound
A Man Foretells his own Death by a Hornet-Sting
Another Predicts a Lion will Seek him Out
Lions have their Braves and Cowards too: Three Stalwart Specimens
Lions Induce Fear in other Beasts
A Lion-Slayer Killed by a Scorpion
Observations on the Behaviour of Lions
Cheetahs versus Leopards: Let the Buyer Beware
A Leopard Runs Amok at a Drinking-Party
A Marvel of Destiny: The Byzantine Siege of Shayzar
A Kurd Takes his Brother’s Head as a Trophy
Tales of Sharp Swords: Isma’ilis Attack Shayzar
How the Sword al-Jami’i got its Name
Another Noteworthy Sword-Blow: The Lord of Abu Qubays
Roger of Antioch and the Field of Blood
Baldwin II Becomes Regent of Antioch
Deeds of Women: Burayka, the Witch of Shayzar
Women’s Courage for the Sake of Honour: Usama’s Mother
A Courageous Woman Kills her Bandit Husband
Franks do not Mix: From Queen-Mother to Shoemaker’s Wife
The Marvels of Frankish Medicine
Brave Men may Hold Unusual Fears
The Brutality of al-Yaghisiyani
Night-Wanderings: Reflections on Old Age
The Miracle of the Sweet-Wrapper
Usama’s Cure for the Common Cold
LOST FRAGMENTS FROM THE BOOK OF CONTEMPLATION