Outremer: Religious And Political Tensions In The 13th Century
Kelsi Bunda
Outremer: Religious and Political
Tensions in the 13th Century Religious and political tensions arise between Catholics, Christians, and Muslims during the thirteenth century, which Nabil Saleh depicts in his novel, Outremer. While this novel is a secondary source, which makes it difficult to mirror what actually happened during that time in history, Saleh accurately depicts the religious and political tensions within his characters and powerful plot. Outremer essentially makes it easier for the young historian to understand what happened eight centuries ago by creating a narrative within such a vivid context. Saleh entrusts his characters with the ability to carry out the task of depicting the struggles that occurred between …show more content…
During the thirteenth century, the “Mamluks conquered Jerusalem from the Crusaders” (Carr, 2015) and this infuriated the Franks. In Outremer, the Muslims and the Franks were enemies in spite of who controlled the Holy Land, Jerusalem. Since the Mamluks were in full control at this point, King Louis IX of France had devised a plan to carry out another crusade against the Mamluks. This is quite accurately depicted by Saleh in this statement: “…a new crusade to be headed by Louis IX, already under preparation and whose destination might be anywhere in the east” (1998, p. 67). However, King Louis IX was killed while on his way to the east to begin a new crusade. The Muslims under Frankish rule were overjoyed by the news, but “they concealed their true feelings for fear of the mob’s [Franks] reaction” (Saleh, 1998, p. 104). In short, this was a harmonious day for the Muslims. Right before the death of King Louis IX, Philip of Tyre was murdered by a “non-Cathar” (Saleh, 1998, p. 103). Essentially, Aimeric’s mission was already completed without him having to do a single thing. Arnaud states to Aimeric: “…rejoice, but quietly” (Saleh, 1998, p.104). Since Cathars had to find refuge elsewhere after the fall of Montségur, it was expected for them to keep a low profile while inhabiting the land in which Catholics had
Outremer: Religious and Political
Tensions in the 13th Century Religious and political tensions arise between Catholics, Christians, and Muslims during the thirteenth century, which Nabil Saleh depicts in his novel, Outremer. While this novel is a secondary source, which makes it difficult to mirror what actually happened during that time in history, Saleh accurately depicts the religious and political tensions within his characters and powerful plot. Outremer essentially makes it easier for the young historian to understand what happened eight centuries ago by creating a narrative within such a vivid context. Saleh entrusts his characters with the ability to carry out the task of depicting the struggles that occurred between …show more content…
During the thirteenth century, the “Mamluks conquered Jerusalem from the Crusaders” (Carr, 2015) and this infuriated the Franks. In Outremer, the Muslims and the Franks were enemies in spite of who controlled the Holy Land, Jerusalem. Since the Mamluks were in full control at this point, King Louis IX of France had devised a plan to carry out another crusade against the Mamluks. This is quite accurately depicted by Saleh in this statement: “…a new crusade to be headed by Louis IX, already under preparation and whose destination might be anywhere in the east” (1998, p. 67). However, King Louis IX was killed while on his way to the east to begin a new crusade. The Muslims under Frankish rule were overjoyed by the news, but “they concealed their true feelings for fear of the mob’s [Franks] reaction” (Saleh, 1998, p. 104). In short, this was a harmonious day for the Muslims. Right before the death of King Louis IX, Philip of Tyre was murdered by a “non-Cathar” (Saleh, 1998, p. 103). Essentially, Aimeric’s mission was already completed without him having to do a single thing. Arnaud states to Aimeric: “…rejoice, but quietly” (Saleh, 1998, p.104). Since Cathars had to find refuge elsewhere after the fall of Montségur, it was expected for them to keep a low profile while inhabiting the land in which Catholics had