From 1095 to the end of the thirteenth century, the crusades touched the lives of many thousands of British people, even those who were not crusaders themselves. In this introductory survey, Kathryn Hurlock compares and contrasts the crusading experiences of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Taking a thematic approach, Hurlock provides an overview of the crusading movement, and explores key aspects of the crusades, such as:

- Where crusaders came from
- When and why the papacy chose to recruit crusaders
- The impact on domestic life, as shown through literature, religion and taxation
- Political uses of the crusades
- The role of the military orders in Britain

This wide-ranging and accessible text is the ideal introduction to this fascinating subject in early British history.

KATHRYN HURLOCK is Lecturer in Medieval History at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

List of Abbreviations
Chronology
Maps
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
Britain and Ireland Before and During the Crusades
Recruitment and Funding
Participation
Political Crusades
Domestic Impact
The Military Orders
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index.