Christianity, Violence and the Origins of Crusading:

à propos of a Recent Study *

The origins of the First Crusade have been the subject of much investigation and controversy in recent years. The thesis of C.Erdmann, formulated in 1935, has been subject to substantial criticism, notably by J.Gilchrist, J.Riley- Smith, and M.Bull.1 It is timely, therefore, that a distinguished French historian should undertake a new examination. Many will find the title of this work misleading because guerre sainte is conventionally regarded as a much older concept than crusade and the main thrust of this book is concerned with the eleventh century. Indeed, in his Introduction Flori sets out his general thesis, that the 'sacralisation de la guerre' proceeds primarily from the need to protect churches and makes it quite clear that earlier matters are only to be discussed briefly. This is, in fact, very much the range of material which Erdmann discussed in his celebrated book on the origins of the crusade, and it is hardly surprising that Flori makes no bones about defending the conclusions of the great German scholar. It has to be said, however, that Flori has a different and, in many ways, very original approach, and the title is certainly indicative of it.

In a sharp and lucid analysis Flori attacks the established notion that Augustine developed a doctrine of the 'JustWar'. This is not entirely novel because many years ago F.H.Russell argued that Augustine developed not a doctrine but 'a cluster of ideas'.2 However, Flori takes the analysis much further. He argues that Augustine took from the Old Testament the notion that holy war was that which was commanded and ordained by God, and suggested that under the Christian dispensation that was mediated through divinely-authorised kingship and the institution of the Church, to men on earth. Thus respon-