List of early modern works on the Crusades

The list of early modern works on the Crusades identifies the historians of the early modern period and their works related to the Crusades that were published after the Crusader era, beginning in 1500. As such, it provides context for the post-medieval historiography of the Crusades. This includes authors and works from the sixteenth century through the nineteenth century. Works are referenced, where available, to the various national collection of biographies, collections linked to the digital libraries of the University of Michigan's HathiTrust and OCLC's WorldCat, and the bibliographic work of Les Archives de littérature du Moyen Âge (ARLIMA) and Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF).

Overview Historians of the Crusades are generally of two types. The first are the authors of works, the original sources, that were done contemporaneously with the historical events. The later works from the early modern period, written in the 16th century through the 19th century, are the subject of this article and include a variety of subjects including:

General histories and chronologies of the Crusades, either comprehensive studies or ones narrowly targeted. Regional histories of Western Europe or the Middle East during the Crusader era and, if relevant, beforehand. Ecclesiastical works. Works of fiction or art deemed important by modern Crusades historians.

Sources for biographies include the following. The first is Part V: Brief Biographies of Crusade Historians, of The Routledge Companion to the Crusades by historian Peter Lock. Part IV: Historiography, or What Historians have said about the Crusades, of Lock's tome, also provides historical perspectives on the authors and their works. The second is the Historians of the Crusades (2007–2008), an on-line database of scholars working in the field of Crusader studies. The related articles are listed above.

Sixteenth century The 16th century was marked by two major influences on Crusader histories: the Turkish wars and the Protestant Reformation. The wars with the Ottoman Turks had begun in the 13th century but reached their peak in the 16th. The dichotomy between Protestant and Catholic was reflected in the differing views of the Crusades—an evil arm of the papacy versus meritorious and laudable endeavours. Highlights include:

Notable histories include those by Basilius Herold, Reiner Reineck (with commentary by Matthäus Dresser), Heinrich Meibom, Justus Lipsius, Di Antonio Mossi and Michele Zappulo. The history of Étienne Pasquier was first to assign numbers to the Crusades. Differing views on the Turks and the concept of a Holy War, exemplified by works of Erasmus, Martin Luther, and John Foxe, as well as numerous theological works. The work of poet Torquato Tasso was to be at the forefront of Crusader writing for two centuries. The struggles of the military orders in Malta, Rhodes and Cyprus against the Ottomans, in the works of John Caius and Uberto Foglietta.

John Caius. John Caius (fl. 1480), an English poet, also known as John Kay.Lee, Sidney (1886). "Caius, John (fl. 1480)". In Dictionary of National Biography. 8. London. p. 221.

The Delectable Newwesse and Tithynges of the Glorious Victory of the Rhodyans against the Turkes (1506). A translation of Obsidionis Rhodiæ urbis descriptio by Gulielmus Caoursin (1430–1501). Reprinted in Edward Gibbon's The Crusades.

Erasmus. Erasmus (1446–1536), a Dutch philosopher and Christian scholar who was critical of the Western response to the Turkish invasions.Pattison, Mark, and Allen, Percy S. (1911). "Desideriuse Erasmus" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 727-732.

In Praise of Folly (1509). An important work in the Protestant Reformation, illustrated by Hans Holbein the Younger. Later translation by White Kennett included an epistle of Sir Thomas More and an obituary of Erasmus by Thomas Brown.Erasmus, D., Holbein, H. (18). The praise of folly. 8th ed. London. Robert Fabyan. Robert Fabyan (died 1513), an English draper of London, sheriff, alderman, and author.Creighton, Mandell (1889). "Fabyan, Robert". In Dictionary of National Biography. 18. London. pp. 113-114.

The New Chronicles of England and France, in two parts (1511). By Robert Fabyan (died 1513). Named by himself The concordance of histories. Edition of 1811 by Sir Henry Ellis reprinted from Pynson's edition of 1516. Sources used by Fabyan include the Brut Chronicle, the Venerable Bede, William of Malmesbury, Ranulf Higden, Henry of Huntingdon, and numerous other contributors to Crusader history.Fabyan, R., Ellis, H. (1811). The new chronicles of England and France, in two parts; by Robert Fabyan. London.

Martin Luther. Martin Luther (1483–1586), a German theologist and seminal figure in the Reformation.Lindsay, Thomas Martin (1911). "Martin Luther" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Explanation of the Ninety-five Theses (1518). Luther argues against resisting the Turks, presented as a scourge intentionally sent by God to sinning Christians. Resisting them would have been equivalent to resisting the will of God, a position that had been initially shared by Erasmus, but was strongly criticized by English philosopher Thomas More.Luther, M., Buchheim, C. A., Buchheim, C. A., Wace, H. (1883). First principles of the Reformation: or, The ninety-five theses and the three primary works of Luther. London. On War Against the Turk (1529). Luther changes his position and calls for action against Islam but falls short of calling for a Holy War. Reflected in his later Sermon against the Turk the same year.Luther, M. (1854). Vom kriege wider den Türken. Leipzig. Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort (1542), a hymn by Luther for "the children to sing against the two arch-enemies of Christ, and His Holy Church, the Pope and the Turks." Used by Johann Sebastian Bach in his choral cantata Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort. Basilius Johannes Herold. Basilius Johannes Herold (1511–1581), a Swiss theologian and historian.Bibliothèque nationale de France {BnF Data}. "Basilius Johannes Herold (1511–1581?)".

De Bello Sacro (1560). An early Protestant history of the Crusades.

John Foxe. John Foxe (1516–1587), an English historian and martyrologist, and prominent influencer in English Protestantism.Lee, Sidney (1889). "John Foxe". In Dictionary of National Biography. 20. London. pp. 141-150.Bibliothèque nationale de France {BnF Data}. "John Foxe (1516–1587)"

Actes and Monuments, 8 volumes (1563), a work of Protestant history and martyrology, also referred to as Foxe's Book of Martyrs.Foxe, J. (1853–1858). The acts and monuments of John Foxe. London. On the History of the Turks (1566), in Volume 4 of Actes and Monuments, supporting war against the infidel.

Just War Theory. The major proponents of the concept of a Just War include Spanish theologian Francisco de Vitoria (1483–1546) in his De Indis De Jure Belli (1542); Italian jurist Alberico Gentili (1552–1608), who write De Jure Belli Commentationes Tres (1588–1589); and Hugo Grotius (1583–1645), a Dutch humanist who wrote De jure belli ac pacis (On the Law of War and Peace) (1625) and Mare Liberum (The Freedom of the Seas) (1609).Vitoria, F. de., Malagón Barceló, J. (1963). Las relecciones De Indis y De iure bell. Washington.Grotius, H., Grotius, H. (1663). Hugonis Grotii De jure belli ac pacis libri tres. Editio nova, Amstelaedami.

Floria Bustron. Floria Bustron (died before 1570), a Cypriot jurist and historian.Bustron, Florio. WorldCat Identities.

Historia overo commentarii de Cipro (Chronique de l'Ile de Chypre) (before 1570). An account of Cyprus through the sixteenth century, including the trials of the Knights Templar in Cyprus in 1311. Edition of 1884 edited by French historian Louis de Mas Latrie. Étienne Pasquier. Étienne Pasquier (1529–1615), a French lawyer who first assigned numbers to the Crusades, counting six.Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). " Étienne Pasquier". Encyclopædia Britannica. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 884.Bibliothèque nationale de France {BnF Data}. "Étienne Pasquier (1529–1615)".

Recherches de la France, 2 volumes (1560). Edited by French writer Léon Feugère (1810–1858). Frankish history beginning with the Gauls. Chapitre XXXII concerns the Crusades.Pasquier, E., Feugère, L. (1849). Œuvres choisies d'Étienne Pasquier. Paris. Lodovico Dolce. Lodovico Dolce (1508/10–1568), an Italian man of letters and painting theorist.Bibliothèque nationale de France {BnF Data}. "Lodovico Dolce (1508–1568)".

Dialogo di M. Lodovico Dolce, nel quale si ragiona del modo di accrescere e conseruar la memoria (1562). Edited by German Dominican Johann Host von Romberch (c. 1480–1533).Dolce, L., Romberch, J. Horst von., Sessa, G. Battista., Sessa, M., Giovanni Battista Sessa & fratelli. (1562). Dialogo di M. Lodovico Dolce, nel quale si ragiona del modo di accrescere e conseruar la memoria. In Venetia: Appresso Gio. Battista, et Marchio Sessa Fratelli. Giornale delle historia del Mondo (1572). A compendium of notable historical and literary events from the origins of civilization until the 16th century.Dolce, L., Rinaldi, G. (1572). Giornale delle historia del Mondo. Venetia.

Heinrich Meibom. Heinrich Meibom (1638–1700), a German physician and scholar.Meibom, Heinrich (1638–1700). WorldCat Identities.

Chronologie ad historiam belli sacri (1584). An early history of the Crusades.

Justus Lipsius. Justus Lipsius (1547–1606) was a Flemish philologist, philosopher and humanist.Lejay, Paul (1910). "Justus Lipsius". In Catholic Encyclopedia. 9. New York.Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Lipsius, Justus". Encyclopædia Britannica. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 743.

Opera Omnia, 4 volumes (1585). His work on the Crusades was epigrammatic and moral in tone, relying heavily on William of Tyre.Lipsius, J. (2001). Opera omnia. Hildesheim.

Reinier Reineck. Reinier Reineck (1541–1595), a German historian. (cf. German Wikipedia, Reiner Reineccius)Zimmerman, Paul (1889). "Reiner Reineccius". In Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). 28. Duncker & Humblot, Berlin.Bibliothèque nationale de France {BnF Data}. "Reinhard Reyneke (1541–1595)".

Historia De Vita Imp. Caes. Henrici IIII (1581). A biography of Henry IV of France. Chronicon Hierosolymitanum, id est, De bello sacro historia, exposita libris XII & nunc primum in lucem edita (1584). A collection of Crusader sources with a commentary by German historian Matthäus Dresser. Historia Orientalis Haythoni Armenii: Et Huic Subiectum Marci Pauli (1585). Itinerarium, item Fragmentum è Speculo historiali Vincentij Beluacensis eiusdem argumenti. An edition of The Journey of Haithon, King of Little Armenia, To Mongolia and Back by Armenian historian Kirakos Gandzaketsi. The work is an account of the travels of Hethum I of Armenia to the East.Hayton, F., Polo, M., Lucius, J., Vincent, o. Beauvais., Reineccius, R. (1585). Historia Orientalis Haythoni Armenii: Et Huic Subiectum Marci Pauli. Helmaestadii.

Matthäus Dresser. Matthäus Dresser (1536–1607), a German philologist and historian. A scholar of Greek and Latin, his principal work was on Aristotle. His commentaries reflect a desire to affirm great deeds done by the Germans. (cf. German Wikipedia, Matthäus Dresser)Kämmel, Heinrich (1877). " Matthäus Dresser ". In Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). 5. Berlin.Bibliothèque nationale de France {BnF Data}. "Matthäus Dresser (1536–1607)".

Commentary on Reiner Reineck's Chronicon Hierosolymitanum (1584). Isagoges historicae (1586–1606). An edition of works of Aristotle.Dresser, M., Apel, J., Lantzenberger, M. (1598). Matthaei Dresseri Isagoges historicae. Lipsiae. Matthaei Dresseri Orationum Libri III (1606).Dresser, M., Núñez de Guzmán, R., Beyer, (. de)., Apel, J. (1606). Matthaei Dresseri Orationum Libri III. Lipsiae.