Brill - Between Sword and Prayer: Warfare and Medieval Clergy

Explore the complex relationship between religion and combat in Between Sword and Prayer. This volume from the Explorations in Medieval Culture series examines the involvement of the medieval European clergy in warfare and military activities. By looking at a wide geographical range, the book moves beyond previous scholarship that focused primarily on the German kingdom or the Carolingian Empire. Readers will find a collection of diverse studies that use legal, literary, historical, and hagiographical approaches to understand how arms-bearing clergy functioned within society. This work provides a broader perspective on the role of religious figures in military contexts, making it a valuable resource for those studying the Crusades and medieval European history. The text offers new insights into how the clergy navigated the tension between their spiritual duties and the realities of medieval warfare.