Crusading in Frankish Greece: A Study of Byzantine– Western Relations and Attitudes, 1204–1282 by Nikolaos G. Chrissis (review)

The breakdown of Western-Byzantine relations in the thirteenth century was a complex and gradual unravelling driven by political and religious opportunism, and Crusader considerations. Nikolaos Chrissis demonstrates this well in his study of crusading in the Latin kingdoms in Greece in the period 1204 to 1282. This period is significant because it marks the rise and fall of Latin Constantinople and the Frankish Greek kingdom, which played an important distraction role for the crusading efforts in the Orient. Western forces that could have saved Jerusalem were diverted to defend the new territories in Greece, and Chrissis ably discusses the nuances of political motivations and practical limitations of Western rulers in relation to Jerusalem and Greece.

Of particular interest is the growing rhetoric of Rome against the Eastern Church during this time period. Chrissis shows that the earlier rhetoric of ‘recovery of the schismatic Greeks’ was gradually replaced by their portrayal as Eastern ‘heretics’ needing punishment. This shift was due to crusader politics and the need to validate the anti-Greek warfare, and Chrissis demonstrates these developments decade by decade, and papal bull by papal bull. His work is thorough and well documented.

Very little has been written about this important crusader front, so this work brings to light many important battles and political developments. The author paints a telling picture of the gradual broadening of crusader rhetoric and action to cover battles with the Cathars and the Greeks. He presents the motivations of various actors through their letters, and with well-nuanced discussion. The letters of those who opposed the crusades into Greece are also discussed as they show that some understood these efforts as undermining the defence of Jerusalem. The changing allegiances of the Hungarian and Bulgarian kings are also explored, as is how this affected the final collapse of the Latin Greek kingdom. The issue of church union reemerged when the military option failed, and reasons why union stalled are covered well. Chrissis also explores the impact of intra-Greek struggles and the papal-Hohenstaufen conflict, and how events from as far away as England ultimately sabotaged Latin imperial dreams.

As this is a doctoral thesis turned into a monograph it is not surprising that it is exceptionally well footnoted, and that the maps and bibliography are strong and useful. The author’s conclusions are solid and provide good signposts to areas of future fruitful research. Highly recommended for all Crusade researchers.