University of Heidelberg

New book on Clergymen as Crusaders

Jun 05, 2012

“Geistliche als Kreuzfahrer“ is the title of the latest publication in the Cluster’s book series “Heidelberg Transcultural Studies”. In the book, author Thomas Haas takes a closer look at clergymen from Europe who joined the crusaders on their journeys to the Orient during the Middle Ages.

The duties of clergymen who joined the crusaders on their journeys included much more than pastoral care: They were also motivators, advisors, diplomats and even military leaders. The book “Geistliche als Kreuzfahrer” describes not only their exact roles and functions. It furthermore shows how those clergymen were perceived by themselves, as well as by others. In addition, author Thomas Haas explores how they were able to reconcile their commitment to mediate salvation with their support of the killing of human beings.

Thomas Haas is postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Hydromechanics and Modelling of Hydrosystems at Stuttgart University. He used to be a member of the Collaborative Research Center 619 “Ritual Dynamics”. “Geistliche als Kreuzfahrer” is his dissertation.

The book is part of the Cluster’s book series “Heidelberg Transcultural Studies”. The series provides a new interdisciplinary platform for the discussion of various transcultural approaches. The book series is edited by Prof. Susanne Enderwitz, Prof. Melanie Trede and Prof. Stefan Weinfurter.

Visit the website of Universitätsverlag Winter for further information