The Deeds of God Through the Franks

"The Deeds of God Through the Franks" by Guibert of Nogent is a historical record from the 1100s that tells about the First Crusade. The book mainly talks about what happened from 1095 to 1099, focusing on the Crusaders' spiritual and military achievements, and tries to explain their religious ideas and why they went on the Crusade. Guibert, who was a well-known writer, not only gives a detailed story of the Crusade but also tries to show that these events were meant to happen. The beginning of the book looks closely at the history around the First Crusade, explaining what made Pope Urban II ask for it. Guibert talks about the important people involved, both the famous leaders and those not as well-known, and thinks about what made them do what they did and what they experienced. He sometimes judges and sometimes praises, as he wrestles with the confusing parts of faith and the reasons people joined the Crusade and compares it to other historical stories to make his own seem better and more important. The beginning prepares the reader for a complicated view of an important time in medieval history, mixing personal stories with bigger historical ideas.