@Tolkien R.R.J and
@JohnAshton
My interest in history, intended to encompass all recorded history, has only - barely - taken me back to the final years of the 18th century. I hoped a thread such as this might supplement a very sketchy exposure to the history of the Crusades, correcting misunderstandings and providing linkages between the few scattered impressions I had. Perhaps you can both help me with realising that hope.
R.R.J., you offer several detailed quotations from the work of scholars I am unfamiliar with that present a coherent picture of the Crusades. Since I am unfamiliar with them I cannot readily assess to what extent they represent mainline historical thought on the topic. In a similar vein, I am unaware of your own qualifications to accurately select representative portions of their writing.
Consequently, I would find it very helpful if you could address those points for me. Thank you in advance.