[blam]

The interior of Agia Sophia's dome. Still Istanbul's landmark, the majestic Byzantine church with all its precious treasures must have awed the crusaders

[Monty22]

The crusades are literally, a 1400 year long war going on to this day.

[FreedomCalls]

Mark for later read.

[jla]

I just really enjoy your posts, Blam. Always interesting things you find to share here.

[AFreeBird]

B4L8r

[wolficatZ]

Keep a lookout for Cecil B. DeMille's 1935 film on TCM, I have it on tape, one of my faves..

"Summary: DeMille At His Peak!

THE CRUSADES is a film of awesome power with some of the finest costumes, epic battles and all the pagentry expected of the legendary Cecil B. DeMille. Henry Wilcoxon's Richard the Lionheart gives (along with his star turn as Marc Anthony in DeMille's CLEOPATRA the previous year) the greatest performance of his entire career. Mesmerizing in its power, just as effective today as when it was filmed in 1935. A must-see for all who esteem the epic/spectacle genre. Fine performances given by an all-star cast right down to DeMille regulars in supporting roles. They don't get much better than this! (imdb user review)"




http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0026249/

[Antoninus]

The immense losses sustained during these outbreaks of anti-western feeling resulted in Venetian claims for compensation were still unsettled in 1203.

Sadly, if Manuel I and Andronikos I had not driven out the Venetians and Alexios IV had paid the money he promised, this horrible atrocity may never have happened. As it was, the Byzantines became known as perfidous and thus unworthy of the sacrifices the crusaders were expected to endure on their behalf.

And really, the Latins made up for this sin later against the Turks. If it wasn't for Latin assistance during the 14th & 15th century, Constantinople would have been taken much sooner than AD 1453.

[Frank_2001]

Good post!

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this ping list.

[Fedora]

Those interested in this thread might also want to check out this one:

The Real History of the Crusades

[skeeter]

Better the Turkish turban than the pope's tiara. In terms of political domination, the Byzantines preferred to maintain their own theology under Ottoman rule than to suffer union with the church of Rome and western rule.

Yeah, but who got the booty, hmm?

[BunnySlippers]

Bookmarking for tonight.

[tnlibertarian]

Istanbul was Constantinople.
Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople.
So, if you have a date in Constantinople,
She’ll be waiting in Istanbul.

[OldCorps]

bump

[WWTraveler]

Ping for later.

[RegulatorCountry]

I’ve often wondered what the life of a Templar Knight in the late tenth century would be like. The earliest known example of my surname outside the Domesday Book is found in the Templar Inquisition of 1185. He was in Essex.