A master’s thesis titled “The Ethics of the Frankish Clergy During the Crusades (488–539 AH): A Historical Study” was discussed in the Department of History at the College of Education for the Humanities, University of Kerbala, by student Adel Mizael A’ssal, under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Laila Salman Madhi (PhD).
The study aims to shed light on the ethical behaviour of the Frankish clergy during the Crusades and their role in fuellingreligious enthusiasm among the public to encourage participation in the wars.
Moreover, the thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter examined the conditions in the Islamic East and Christian West prior to the Crusades. The second chapter focused on the barbaric behaviour and conduct of the Franks. Finally, the third chapter discussed the moral decline among the Frankish clergy.
The study reached several conclusions, among which is that the Franks were characterised by low moral standards, exhibiting traits such as selfishness, personal greed at the expense of others, betrayal, cowardice, and frequent breach of treaties with Muslims, to whom they committed atrocities, including the looting of livestock, money, grain, precious metals, weapons, and personal belongings.
The examining committee consisted of:
• Prof. Hussein Kadhim Hassoun (PhD) Chairman
• Prof. Ammar Mardhi Alawi (PhD) Member
• Asst. Prof. Sawsan Abbas Hussein (PhD) Member
• Asst. Prof. Laila Salman Madhy (PhD) Member and Supervisor
