Bohemond of Taranto & the First Crusade
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Date: 2022-09-10
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Comments and reviews: 19
NorceCodine
Outstanding. Bohemond never made it a secret that he's aiming for Constantinople - something the other crusader leaders despised him for - until they got to see the phenomenal riches of the city. Then they saw Bohemond in a different light. In fact there is a case for that Pope Urban also wanted to snatch Constantinople, the greatest rival of Rome, and since it was Alexios who asked for help, he had no choice but to let in the crusaders into his city. This was history's first conspiracy that three people understood - Urban, Alexios, and Bohemond. But alas, Alexios was too cunning - he let in the crusaders, but only one small group at a time, and he didn't let in the next group until the previous was crossing the Bosporus. Bohemond, realizing that Alexious saw through him (and Urban, had no choice but to settle for second best, Antioch.
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Outstanding. Bohemond never made it a secret that he's aiming for Constantinople - something the other crusader leaders despised him for - until they got to see the phenomenal riches of the city. Then they saw Bohemond in a different light. In fact there is a case for that Pope Urban also wanted to snatch Constantinople, the greatest rival of Rome, and since it was Alexios who asked for help, he had no choice but to let in the crusaders into his city. This was history's first conspiracy that three people understood - Urban, Alexios, and Bohemond. But alas, Alexios was too cunning - he let in the crusaders, but only one small group at a time, and he didn't let in the next group until the previous was crossing the Bosporus. Bohemond, realizing that Alexious saw through him (and Urban, had no choice but to settle for second best, Antioch.
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Zoe
By skipping forward 20 years, you omitted significant events. The Varangian Guard was deceived by Brian of Brittany, identified by EA Freeman with the same Brian who led the Breton cavalry in an ultimately successful feint that doomed the English at Hastings.
After Dyrrhachium, Brian was granted the fortified town of Kastoria, which he held until 1083 when Norman troubles in Italy undermined their logistics so Brian had no choice but to surrender Kastoria to the Emperor.
Brian returned to Brittany, where in 1084 he witnessed a charter by his eldest brother Geoffrey Boterel, together with the second brother Alan Rufus.
Alan was also a hero of Hastings and by 1083 he led William the Conquerors Household Knights.
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By skipping forward 20 years, you omitted significant events. The Varangian Guard was deceived by Brian of Brittany, identified by EA Freeman with the same Brian who led the Breton cavalry in an ultimately successful feint that doomed the English at Hastings.
After Dyrrhachium, Brian was granted the fortified town of Kastoria, which he held until 1083 when Norman troubles in Italy undermined their logistics so Brian had no choice but to surrender Kastoria to the Emperor.
Brian returned to Brittany, where in 1084 he witnessed a charter by his eldest brother Geoffrey Boterel, together with the second brother Alan Rufus.
Alan was also a hero of Hastings and by 1083 he led William the Conquerors Household Knights.
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John
You're being VERY generous to call these various warlords' conquests political entities and kingdoms. They were more akin to the territories that gangs carve out for themselves in ruined urban spaces. These people didn't know what settled life was. And yes, I know all about Norman Sicily.
You can't have a stable, happy polity when you have a region divided into bloodthirsty conquering strong men and pretty much everyone else, no matter how open minded, intelligent, professional, or whatever they might be.
These were Mafioso, only Vikings and brandishing steel swords instead of guns.
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You're being VERY generous to call these various warlords' conquests political entities and kingdoms. They were more akin to the territories that gangs carve out for themselves in ruined urban spaces. These people didn't know what settled life was. And yes, I know all about Norman Sicily.
You can't have a stable, happy polity when you have a region divided into bloodthirsty conquering strong men and pretty much everyone else, no matter how open minded, intelligent, professional, or whatever they might be.
These were Mafioso, only Vikings and brandishing steel swords instead of guns.
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TheSamuraijim87
Amazing video, as always!
The only correction i have would be that Bohemond's crusade was preached against Alexius, not the Turks.
He was a remarkable man, in many ways, and one has to wonder what would have become of the Empire had Alexius married him to Anna Comnena, who was clearly attracted to him.
I can't wait to see the video you have for his great rival, Raymond of Toulouse. I would also like to see a video about the expansion of the Norman regime into Scotland, post 1066.
Fantastic work as always mate.
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Amazing video, as always!
The only correction i have would be that Bohemond's crusade was preached against Alexius, not the Turks.
He was a remarkable man, in many ways, and one has to wonder what would have become of the Empire had Alexius married him to Anna Comnena, who was clearly attracted to him.
I can't wait to see the video you have for his great rival, Raymond of Toulouse. I would also like to see a video about the expansion of the Norman regime into Scotland, post 1066.
Fantastic work as always mate.
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McEwen
Also, if the Alexiad is to be believed the Venetians assisted Alexios in both the wars in 1081 and 1110 with the Normans. And, this a relatively small error as it's a mapping error, After the first Crusade Alexios conquered a lot more than Nicea. According to the Alexiad he took Smyna, Ephesos, and Sardus right after the crusade and continued significant expansion until his death in 1118
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Also, if the Alexiad is to be believed the Venetians assisted Alexios in both the wars in 1081 and 1110 with the Normans. And, this a relatively small error as it's a mapping error, After the first Crusade Alexios conquered a lot more than Nicea. According to the Alexiad he took Smyna, Ephesos, and Sardus right after the crusade and continued significant expansion until his death in 1118
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Brandon
High quality video as usual.
EDIT: You know, a helpful feature in your video would be to leave gaps of a few seconds in the narration in order to absorb what has just been said. Maybe more significant gaps than you already have. upwards of 7 or more seconds. It would make for good transitions to subsequent developments. This would also add drama and it would be very cheap.
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High quality video as usual.
EDIT: You know, a helpful feature in your video would be to leave gaps of a few seconds in the narration in order to absorb what has just been said. Maybe more significant gaps than you already have. upwards of 7 or more seconds. It would make for good transitions to subsequent developments. This would also add drama and it would be very cheap.
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Gostavo
Bohemond dynasty lived on because Tancred died from a plague before get get an heir. After ge built the principality if Antioch he showed no interest in getting Bohemond out of captivity and when he was defeated against the Byzantines, Tancred showed no interest in honoring the post battle deal since he saw himself as the true ruler of Antioch.
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Bohemond dynasty lived on because Tancred died from a plague before get get an heir. After ge built the principality if Antioch he showed no interest in getting Bohemond out of captivity and when he was defeated against the Byzantines, Tancred showed no interest in honoring the post battle deal since he saw himself as the true ruler of Antioch.
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Christophe
From the earliest chronicle of the first Crusade,
Verse in praise of Bohemund:
Now the World resonates with the things that Bohemund did:
The deeds of Bohemund peal through the regions of the world.
May the light and glory of the world be on bohemund:
Fame runs through the world entire, loudly shouting, Bohemund!
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From the earliest chronicle of the first Crusade,
Verse in praise of Bohemund:
Now the World resonates with the things that Bohemund did:
The deeds of Bohemund peal through the regions of the world.
May the light and glory of the world be on bohemund:
Fame runs through the world entire, loudly shouting, Bohemund!
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Mamluk
The Hauteville family are legendary by all standards Viking warriors, Norman or crusader Knights. I can't think of too many houses from Northern Europe to Holly Lands that has produced so many hardcore warriors, strong lords & had such impact on the history of Europe & Mid-East in such a short time.
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The Hauteville family are legendary by all standards Viking warriors, Norman or crusader Knights. I can't think of too many houses from Northern Europe to Holly Lands that has produced so many hardcore warriors, strong lords & had such impact on the history of Europe & Mid-East in such a short time.
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kevin
will u use pencil drawings s if I send them to u? I do not have my oil paints with me so can't do color but I don't want waste my time if not. I'm went to top art school in u. s. so they will be good just most ur stuff is color. lmk thanks. just want to contribute to great page.
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will u use pencil drawings s if I send them to u? I do not have my oil paints with me so can't do color but I don't want waste my time if not. I'm went to top art school in u. s. so they will be good just most ur stuff is color. lmk thanks. just want to contribute to great page.
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Tower
Exquisitely picked periods of history told with great narration and fantastic graphics. Bravo! I have enjoyed the Byzantine and Crusader series immensely and have loved your treatment of all the subjects you tackle. Thanks for all the hard work.
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Exquisitely picked periods of history told with great narration and fantastic graphics. Bravo! I have enjoyed the Byzantine and Crusader series immensely and have loved your treatment of all the subjects you tackle. Thanks for all the hard work.
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Chris
these normans were cunning and ambitious. they gave much to the history of europe and all mankind, thank you for increasing our knowledge. after watching your videos, i find myself thinking about them thru out the day. cr.
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these normans were cunning and ambitious. they gave much to the history of europe and all mankind, thank you for increasing our knowledge. after watching your videos, i find myself thinking about them thru out the day. cr.
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Flash
Nicely done! I'm getting up to 1100 in my series on Al Andalus and am hoping to get in a quick video on the first crusade to give my listeners a taste of what was going on, on the other end of the Mediterranean
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Nicely done! I'm getting up to 1100 in my series on Al Andalus and am hoping to get in a quick video on the first crusade to give my listeners a taste of what was going on, on the other end of the Mediterranean
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Zoe
Urban II was French. I wonder if his enthusiasm for the first crusade may have been influenced by the English invasion of Normandy in 1091 when King Philip I called in Urban to negotiate.
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Urban II was French. I wonder if his enthusiasm for the first crusade may have been influenced by the English invasion of Normandy in 1091 when King Philip I called in Urban to negotiate.
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Terzia
Byzantines must've been so done with Normans by this point. They were forced to rely on them, but as soon as Byzantines turned their backs, Normans were like it's free real estate.
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Byzantines must've been so done with Normans by this point. They were forced to rely on them, but as soon as Byzantines turned their backs, Normans were like it's free real estate.
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Flash
I really like your music for this video ( Bohemond is one of my favorites from the First Crusade. Did you have to purchase the music or did the creator give you permission to use it?
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I really like your music for this video ( Bohemond is one of my favorites from the First Crusade. Did you have to purchase the music or did the creator give you permission to use it?
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Jun
Great story telling and narraration. Too bad the reality of it was a hellish bloodbath, slaughter of innocent people, acts of cannibalism, all in the name of ego and greed. Geez.
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Great story telling and narraration. Too bad the reality of it was a hellish bloodbath, slaughter of innocent people, acts of cannibalism, all in the name of ego and greed. Geez.
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McEwen
I thought Alexios fought off the Normans at the Battle of Larissa which lead the Normans to retreat to Italy, not illnesses as you said. Is their something I don't know?
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I thought Alexios fought off the Normans at the Battle of Larissa which lead the Normans to retreat to Italy, not illnesses as you said. Is their something I don't know?
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AACL
are you going to make videos for the other leaders like this one? Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Raymond IV of Toulouse, Robert II of Flanders and the others?
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are you going to make videos for the other leaders like this one? Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Raymond IV of Toulouse, Robert II of Flanders and the others?
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