The Papacy and War against the ‘Saracens’, 795–1216
John Gilchrist
recent years numerous studies have appeared on the Western ethic of war and soldiering, some which extensively explored concept just its roots in Christian thought, especially as expounded by St. Augustine Hippo (d. 430) -1 These treated at length problem relationship between war, holy crusade, but their conclusions are not altogether convincing. They overemphasize role eleventhcentury popes, particularly Gregory VII Urban II, they distinguish too sharply crusade. Accordingly, received opinion requires modification. Building upon magisterial thesis Carl Erdmann, historians seem to agree that, from fifth eighth century, given special conditions West, Augustinian doctrine could take root.2 In disorder created successive waves Germanic invasion settlement, Church viewed profession arms
International History Review