Aragon
Aragonese Nobles
Armoured Horses
Bernat De
Catalan chronicles
Category=NHDJ
Christian-Muslim frontier
Christian-Muslim relations
crusader kingship
De Montcada
Don Artal
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
feudal monarchy studies
Gesta Comitum Barcinonensium
Gil De
Guerau De
Guillem De
Helena Buffery
Innocent III
Iron Caps
James's Book
James's Father
James's Son
James’s Book
James’s Father
James’s Son
Liber Feudorum Maior
Light Horse
Majorca
Medieval Catalan philology
medieval Iberian history
Medieval military
medieval military campaigns
Peter II
Pope Innocent III
Puig De
Ramon De
Saracen Men
Strong
thirteenth-century Aragon political analysis
Violate
Wooden Castle
Product details
- ISBN 9780754603597
- Weight: 914g
- Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
- Publication Date: 28 May 2003
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
The 'Book of Deeds' is the first known autobiography by a Christian king. Its author was James I of Aragon (1213-76), known as 'The Conqueror', one of the great political figures of 13th-century Europe and a successful crusader. In his 'Deeds', James describes the turbulent years of his minority, the thrilling capture of Majorca, the methodical conquest of the kingdom of Valencia, the reconquest of the kingdom of Murcia after Castile had failed to hold it, and many of the important events of his reign. While crusade and conquest of Spanish territory from the Muslims and Christian-Muslim relations on the frontier are central features of the account, the 'Deeds' are also a treasure trove of information on the image, power and purpose of monarchy, loyalty and bad faith in the feudal order, the growth of national sentiment, and medieval military tactics. At the same time, the book presents a unique insight into the mind of a medieval ruler, the supreme example we possess of the fears and ambitions of a man at the very centre of events.
Damian J. Smith is Associate Professor in the Department of History, St Louis University, U.S.A. Helena Buffery is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Birmingham, U.K.
