The crusades are often used as a byword for cruelty, intolerance, and bigotry - in short, all the worst aspects of religion. As with many historical phenomena, however, the reality was rather more nuanced than that.

Crusading actively shaped the culture, religion, and politics of both the Old and New Worlds from the movement's origins in the 11th century through the Enlightenment. 'Crusade' remains no less powerful as a concept now. But what were the actual crusades? How and why did they start? What actually happened, and why does that matter so much even now?

Over four sessions, free on Zoom, we'll explore the history, theology, and social impact of the crusades from Pope Urban II's (alleged) call for the first crusade in 1095 to the present day.

Lecture 1 can be accessed here

Lecture 2 can be accessed here

Lecture 3 can be accessed here

Lecture 4 can be accessed here

About the Lecturer

Charlotte Gauthier is a doctoral researcher in History at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her research focuses on religious conflict and nationhood, with a particular emphasis on English Church-State relations and anti-Ottoman diplomacy between England and Central Europe in the decades leading to the Reformation.