Jerusalem in Medieval Narrative

During the early medieval period, crusading brought about new ways of writing about the city of Jerusalem in Europe. By creating texts that embellished the historical relationship between the Holy City and England, English authors endowed their nation with a reputation of power and importance. In Jerusalem in Medieval Narrative, Suzanne Yeager identifies the growth of medieval propaganda aimed at rousing interest in crusading, and analyses how fourteenth-century writers refashioned their sources to create a substantive (if fictive) English role in the fight for Jerusalem. Centring on medieval identity, this study offers assessments of some of the fourteenth century's most popular works, including English pilgrim itineraries, political treatises, the romances Richard, Coeur de Lion and The Siege of Jerusalem, and the prose Book of Sir John Mandeville. This study will be an essential resource for the study of medieval literary history, travel, crusade, and the place of Jerusalem.

Introduction: texts and contexts; 1. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem: three accounts by English authors; 2. Craving heritage: portrayals of Richard I and the English quest for Jerusalem in Richard, Coeur de Lion; 3. The crusade of the soul in The Siege of Jerusalem; 4. The Book of Sir John Mandeville: text of pilgrimage and spiritual reform; 5. Beyond the celestial and terrestrial Jerusalem: the Promised Land in Western Christendom; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

A 2008 analysis of the representation of the holy city in some of the fourteenth century's most popular works, including romances, political treatises and travel writings. This study will be of great interest to scholars working on medieval literature, cities, travel, crusades, and the history of Jerusalem.