Innocent III and the Crown of Aragon

Dr Damian J. Smith is the author (with Helena Buffery) of 'The Book of Deeds of James I of Aragon: A translation of the medieval Catalan Llibre dels Fets', also published by Ashgate, and is Associate Professor in the Department of History at St Louis University, USA.

• Contents: Introduction; Political relations (1198-1204); The coronation of the king; The Albigensian Crusade; From Las Navas to Muret; The minority of James I; The pope and the bishops; The pope as judge; The reform of the religious life; Conclusion; Documents; Bibliography; Index.

'... for scholars of the Middle Ages in general and of the medieval church in particular, this work provides crucially important but seldom seen documentation from many national, municipal, clerical, and university depositories. That fact alone recommends Smith's book to a greater number of specialists in medieval studies.' Speculum 'This well-written book is a very fine piece of scholarship. The research is thorough and the conclusions well balanced and convincing. The author has provided a valuable tool for students of the papacy and of Spain and for anyone else interested in European history during the early thirtheenth century.' The Medieval Review '... the whole book is solidly based on contemporary sources...' Ecclesiastical History ’Smith has made a worthwhile contribution to our literature on Innocent III. He has also added to our understanding of the problems faced by the emerging kingdom of Aragon during this very difficult period.’ Crusades