Forgotten Crusaders

Mikołaj Wiktor Gładysz, Ph.D. (2001) in Humanities, University of Gdańsk, is a medievalist and manager who specializes in educational multimedia and Internet projects. He has published a number of books in Poland, including a series of history textbooks Podróże w czasie Historia (Gdansk).

• Preface to the English Translation ... viiTimeline ... xiGenealogical Tree ... xvMaps ... xviiAbbreviations ... xxiiiIntroduction ... 1I The Echo of Clermont: 1095–1141 ... 15II The Second Crusade: 1146–49 ... 39III The Northern Crusades: 1147 ... 67IV Crusaders—Pilgrims—Founders: 1153–87 ... 97V The Third Crusade: 1187–93 ... 121VI The Fifth Crusade: 1213–21 ... 147VII Arms to the Aid of the Prussian Mission: 1217–25 ... 175VIII Supporting the Crusading Orders: 1225–35 ... 213IX Crusading on All Fronts: 1240–48 ... 253X Unrealised Plans: 1248–60 ... 297XI Attempts to Reverse the Trend: 1261–73 ... 333XII A Final Change of Formula: 1274–91 ... 359Conclusion ... 385Bibliography ... 395Index ... 427

"...whereas most medievalists are aware of the Scandinavian and German crusades in the Baltic, they know nothing about the Polish contributions. Indeed, this was a troubled era for the Polish kingdom—the division of the dynastic lands had led to endless rivalries; the Mongols sacked Cracow; Lithuanian pagans ravaged frontier regions; and the Teutonic Knights, pushing along the Baltic coast, became too strong to expel or even tame. Chronicle entries were sparse, and documents were not informative. No wonder Polish crusading efforts were forgotten.... Medievalists (...) will find it extremely valuable. Mikolaj Gladysz is good at analyzing papal documents calling for volunteers and contributions to the crusading cause, and in describing the role of Polish churchmen in furthering them..."William Urban (Monmouth College, IL), The Catholic Historical Review, July 2013