In this exciting new double episode of the podcast, I’m delighted to be joined by Dr Thomas Smith to explore the astonishing story of the Fifth Crusade, the subject of his new book, The Fifth Crusade: A History of the Epic Campaign to Conquer Egypt. Few medieval conflicts are as dramatic, ambitious or consequential, and yet it remains one of the most overlooked crusades in both popular history and academic study. That neglect feels profoundly unjust. The Fifth Crusade was a truly epic undertaking: innovative in its strategy, international in its scope, packed with unexpected twists and culminating in a dramatic conclusion.

Dr Smith is on a mission to bring this remarkable campaign the attention it deserves, and across these two episodes we dive deeply into its story and significance. In the first episode, we follow the crusade step by step, tracing the campaign from beginning to end. In the second, we move from narrative to analysis, examining the key themes and ultimate reasons behind one of history’s most fascinating failures.

Episode 1: What were the main events of the Fifth Crusade?

Episode 2: Why did the Fifth Crusade fail?

This mini-series is based upon Dr Thomas Smith's new book:

The Fifth Crusade: A History of the Epic Campaign to Conquer Egypt

Other recommended works by Dr Thomas Smith:

Rewriting the First Crusade: Epistolary Culture in the Middle Ages

Further reading:

Andrew Jotischky: Crusading and the Crusader States (2nd Ed.)

Jonathan Phillips: The Crusades 1095-1204

Jonathan Riley-Smith: The Crusades: A History (4th Ed.)

Social media:

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LinkedIn

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Step into one of the most dramatic and disastrous chapters of medieval history with our brand-new two-part podcast series on the Second Crusade. In Episode 1, we plunge into the story itself—from the shocking fall of Edessa in 1144 and the rallying cry across Europe to the march eastward of kings and humiliating defeat at the gates of Damascus. Then, in Episode 2, we go deeper, asking the big question: why did the Second Crusade fail so completely? Was it poor leadership, Byzantine hostility, or the growing unity of Muslim forces? Guiding us through this fascinating mix of ambition, betrayal, and miscalculation is Associate Professor Nicholas Morton of Nottingham Trent University, a leading expert in crusader history. If you want gripping storytelling, sharp analysis and expert insight, this is a series you won’t want to miss. The Second Crusade like you’ve never heard it before!

This episode is part of a mini-series:

Ep.1: Narrative - What's the story of the Second Crusade?

Ep.2: Analysis - Why did the Second Crusade fail?

Recommended works by Associate Professor Nicholas Morton:

The Field of Blood: The Battle for Aleppo and the Remaking of the Medieval Middle East

The Crusader States and their Neighbours: A military history 1099-1187

Encountering Islam on the First Crusade

The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East

Further reading:

Andrew Jotischky: Crusading and the Crusader States (2nd Ed.)

Jonathan Phillips: The Crusades 1095-1204

Jonathan Riley-Smith: The Crusades: A History

If you would like to keep up to date with all things ‘Teach Medieval’, you can find us on:

Instagram: @teachmedieval

Twitter: @TeachMedieval

Threads: Teach Medieval

Facebook: Teach Medieval

LinkedIn: Teach Medieval

Main theme by Aroshanti

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step into one of the most dramatic and disastrous chapters of medieval history with our brand-new two-part podcast series on the Second Crusade. In Episode 1, we plunge into the story itself—from the shocking fall of Edessa in 1144 and the rallying cry across Europe to the march eastward of kings and humiliating defeat at the gates of Damascus. Then, in Episode 2, we go deeper, asking the big question: why did the Second Crusade fail so completely? Was it poor leadership, Byzantine hostility, or the growing unity of Muslim forces? Guiding us through this fascinating mix of ambition, betrayal, and miscalculation is Associate Professor Nicholas Morton of Nottingham Trent University, a leading expert in crusader history. If you want gripping storytelling, sharp analysis and expert insight, this is a series you won’t want to miss. The Second Crusade like you’ve never heard it before!

This episode is part of a mini-series:

Ep.1: Narrative - What's the story of the Second crusade?

ep.2: Analysis - Why did the Second Crusade fail?

Recommended works by Associate Professor Nicholas Morton:

The Field of Blood: The Battle for Aleppo and the Remaking of the Medieval Middle East

The Crusader States and their Neighbours: A military history 1099-1187

Encountering Islam on the First Crusade

The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East

Further reading:

Andrew Jotischky: Crusading and the Crusader States (2nd Ed.)

Jonathan Phillips: The Crusades 1095-1204

Jonathan Riley-Smith: The Crusades: A History

If you would like to keep up to date with all things ‘Teach Medieval’, you can find us on:

Instagram: @teachmedieval

Twitter: @TeachMedieval

Threads: Teach Medieval

Facebook: Teach Medieval

LinkedIn: Teach Medieval

Music by Aroshanti

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The early Islamic response to the First Crusade was deeply disunited, with rivalry, distrust and self-interest undermining all hope of any real cooperation. This lack of unity was a major factor in the Crusaders’ remarkable success, allowing them to seize territory and establish the states of Outremer. In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas Brosset explores the nature and extent of this early disunity before turning to the emergence of key leaders who, in time, managed to coordinate a stronger, more muscular response to the Frankish presence in the Near East.

This episode is one of a two-part mini-series:

Ep.1: How disunited was the response in the early decades?

Ep.2: How and when did unity begin to emerge?

This mini-series was part-inspired by:

The First Crusade and the Failure of Kerbogha’s Campaign from Mosul to Antioch (March–June 1098): A Re-evaluation

Dr Thomas Brosset refers to this work in 'Ep.1: Disunity':

Nicholas Morton: The Field of Blood: The Battle for Aleppo and the Making of the Medieval Middle East

Further reading:

Andrew Jotischky: Crusading and the Crusader States (2nd Ed.)

Jonathan Phillips: The Crusades 1095-1204

Jonathan Riley-Smith: The Crusades: A History (4th Ed.)

Social media:

Instagram

X (Twitter)

Threads

Facebook

LinkedIn

Main theme by Aroshanti

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The early Islamic response to the First Crusade was deeply disunited, with rivalry, distrust and self-interest undermining al hope of any real cooperation. This lack of unity was a major factor in the Crusaders’ remarkable success, allowing them to seize territory and establish the states of Outremer. In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas Brosset explores the nature and extent of this early disunity before turning to the emergence of key leaders who, in time, managed to coordinate a stronger, more muscular response to the Frankish presence in the Near East.

This episode is one of a two-part mini-series:

Ep.1: How disunited was the response in the early decades?

Ep.2: How and when did unity begin to emerge?

This mini-series was part-inspired by:

The First Crusade and the Failure of Kerbogha’s Campaign from Mosul to Antioch (March–June 1098): A Re-evaluation

Dr Thomas Brosset refers to this work in 'Ep.1: Disunity':

Nicholas Morton: The Field of Blood: The Battle for Aleppo and the Making of the Medieval Middle East

Further reading:

Andrew Jotischky: Crusading and the Crusader States (2nd Ed.)

Jonathan Phillips: The Crusades 1095-1204

Jonathan Riley-Smith: The Crusades: A History (4th Ed.)

Social media:

Instagram

X (Twitter)

Threads

Facebook

LinkedIn

Main theme by Aroshanti

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.