Although the crusader states in the Holy Land were never hugely powerful in themselves, they had significance out of all proportion to their size for medieval Christendom at large, and were the continuing focal point for the crusading impulse from the west, a topic discussed in this text.

Taking a new approach to a much discussed subject, this book""looks at the involvement of the Crusader States in local politics and the management of violent relations with both their Muslim neighbours and the Christian Orthodox Byzantine Empire.

• It will have a strong readership - the Crusades are one of the most heavily studied of medieval subjects
• They also have a devoted general readership amongst the public at large
• Holt is a specialist who can do justice to the sources, and is also well-versed in writing for a serious but non-specialist readership