Conquest of the Holy Land
In 1095 the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I appealed to the Christian states of western Europe for help against the Turks who had swept across the Empire after the disastrous Byzantine defeat at Manzikert in 1071. The First Crusade that followed saw several armies of 'armed pilgrims' march across Europe to the Holy Land. They were unleashed on a divided and fragmen ted Islamic world and won a series of apparently miraculous victories, capturing the Holy City of Jerusalem itself. The success of the First Crusade was never to be repeated, however, and triggered two centuries of bitter warfare - the repercussions of which are still felt today.
Born in 1944, David Nicolle worked in the BBC's Arabic service for a number of years before gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He has written numerous books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years.
Christa Hook began her illustrating career in 1986, after studying under her father Richard Hook. Her work has featured extensively in the worlds of publishing and television and, having illustrated over 30 Osprey titles, she has established herse If as one of their most popular artists. Her illustrations combine the historian's attention to detail with the artist's sen se of drama and atmosphere, and they are sought after by collectors worldwide. Christa lives and works in East Sussex, England.
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