Francs et Orientaux dans le monde des croisades

This latest volume by Jean Richard is concerned with the evolution of the crusading movement and with the interaction between crusaders and indigenous peoples of the Near East. The articles look at changes in the concept of crusading, means of financing it, and forms of indulgence; at how the adoption of maritime transport created a need to control the sea, and how contacts with the Muslims could lead to peaceful means of resolving conflict and dealing with prisoners. In their lands in the east, the Latins accommodated the feudal structures they brought with them to local conditions, especially in the mountains. Both in this and in the religious sphere compromises were made, and in this co-existence each community preserved its individuality. The final section then considers roles played by eastern Christians in the contacts between Europeans and Mongols. Si les origines de la croisade retiennent l'attention, son evolution merite elle aussi interA t. La conception de la croisade, les modalites du financement, la forme d'indulgence, se sont modifiees; l'adoption du transport par bateau a necessite la prise du contrA'le de la mer. Les affrontements avec les Musulmans ont provoquee des contacts, ainsi pour regler le sort des prisonniers; on a cheche des solutions pacifiques au conflit. Dans leurs possessions orientales, les Francs ont adapte le regime seigneurial aux conditions locales et, tout en gardant intacte leur structure feodale, reserve, surtout dans les montagnes, leur place aux chefs indigenes, Les contacts de civilisation sont reels, mais chaque communaute garde some individualite. Il en est de mA me dans le domaine religieux, oA' il a fallu adopter des compromis pout permettre une reelle coexistence. Et finalement les chretiens orientaux ont ete les agents du rapprochement entre Francs and Mongols.