Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace

John D. Hosler
Hardback, 384 pages
9780300255140

The first full account of the medieval struggle for Jerusalem, from the seventh to the thirteenth century

The history of Jerusalem is one of conflict, faith, and empire. Few cities have been attacked as often and as savagely. This was no less true in the Middle Ages. From the Persian sack in 614 through the bloody First Crusade and beyond, Jerusalem changed hands countless times. But despite these horrific acts of violence, its story during this period is also one of interfaith tolerance and accord.
 

In this gripping history, John D. Hosler explores the great clashes and delicate settlements of medieval Jerusalem. He examines the city’s many sieges and considers the experiences of its inhabitants of all faiths. The city’s conquerors consistently acknowledged and reinforced the rights of those religious minorities over which they ruled. Deeply researched, this account reveals the way in which Jerusalem’s past has been constructed on partial histories—and urges us to reckon with the city’s broader historical contours.

Contents
1. Islam Awakens: 614 and 638
2. Sunni and Shia: the 970s and 1070s
3. Ankle-deep Blood: 1098 and 1099
4. Saladin the Merciful: the 1100s and 1187
5. Alliances and Antichrists: 1229 and 1244