c. 1081–1083
Latin
The Collection of Canons
Anselm of Lucca · 1036–1086
A canon law collection assembled to support the reform papacy, with a book on the lawful use of force against schismatics that had no real precedent.
Western · Canon law
1001–1100
The Eleventh Century
3 works
27 November 1095; recorded later
Latin
The Sermon at Clermont
Pope Urban II · c. 1035–1099
The appeal that launched the First Crusade, surviving only in five differing accounts written after the expedition succeeded, each shaped by knowing how it turned out.
Western · Sermon
c. 1090–1115
Old French
The Song of Roland
La Chanson de Roland
Anonymous
Charlemagne's rearguard is destroyed at Roncevaux through treachery; Roland refuses to sound his horn until too late, and dies offering his glove to God.
Western · Poetry
1101–1200
The Twelfth Century
7 works
c. 1106–1108
Old Church Slavonic
The Life and Journey of Daniil
Daniil the Pilgrim · 12th century
An abbot from Rus travels to Jerusalem under crusader rule, measures distances between holy sites, and is allowed to place a lamp on the tomb for his own people.
Rus · Travel
c. 1114–1141
Latin
The Ecclesiastical History
Orderic Vitalis · 1075–c. 1142
Thirteen books ranging far beyond its monastery, taking in the Norman conquest, the crusades, and a celebrated vision of a procession of the dead seen by a priest at night.
Western · History
c. 1119–1153
Latin
The Letters
Bernard of Clairvaux · 1090–1153
Over five hundred letters running the affairs of Europe from a monastery — preaching a crusade, hounding Abelard, defending Jews against a preacher inciting massacre, and reproaching kings.
Cistercian · Letters
1145–1146
Armenian
The Lament on Edessa
Nerses Shnorhali · 1102–1173
The city of Edessa speaks in her own voice, mourning her fall to Zengi and reproaching the Christian powers who did not come.
Armenian · Poetry
c. 1148
Greek
The Alexiad
Anna Komnene · 1083–1153
A daughter's history of her father's reign, including the arrival of the First Crusade described as an unwelcome flood of armed and unpredictable Latins.
Byzantine · History
1191
Latin
The Journey Through Wales
Gerald of Wales · c. 1146–c. 1223
An account of preaching the Third Crusade around Wales, digressing constantly into local marvels, Welsh customs, and the author's opinion of everyone he meets.
Western · Travel
c. 1177–1214
Greek
The Ritual Ordinance and Writings
Neophytos the Recluse · 1134–c. 1214
The rule and commentaries of a Cypriot hermit who carved his own cell out of a cliff, including a bitter account of the English seizure of Cyprus in 1191.
Byzantine · Rule
1201–1300
The Thirteenth Century
2 works
c. 1204–1215
Greek
The History
Niketas Choniates · c. 1155–1217
Byzantine history to 1206, culminating in the sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade — the looting of Hagia Sophia, the destruction of ancient bronzes, and the author's own flight.
Byzantine · History
c. 1300–1320
Greek
The Chronicle of the Morea
Anonymous
A verse chronicle of the Frankish principality in the Peloponnese, told from the crusaders' side in vernacular Greek and openly contemptuous of the Byzantines.
Western · Chronicle
1401–1500
The Fifteenth Century
1 work
c. 1440–1456
Latin
The Sermons and Letters
John of Capistrano · 1386–1456
The preaching of a friar who crossed central Europe drawing enormous crowds, campaigned against Hussites and Jews, and helped raise the army that relieved Belgrade in 1456.
Franciscan · Homilies