Charles I of Anjou (1225-85), brother of St Louis, was one of the most controversial figures of thirteenth-century Europe. A royal adventurer, who carved out a huge Mediterranean power block, as ruler of Provence, Jerusalem and the kingdom of Naples as well as Anjou, he changed for good the political configuration of the Mediterranean world - even though his ambitions were fatally undermined by the revolt of the Sicilian Vespers. Jean Dunbabin's study - the first in English for 40 years - reassesses Charles's extraordinary career, his pivotal role in the crusades and in military reform, trading, diplomacy, learning and the arts, and finds a more remarkable figure than the ruthless thug of conventional historiography.

Reviews
"...Dunbabin has crafted an excellent introduction to the man and pointed the way to much-need further research" Journal of Ecclesiastical History "Dunbabin has performed a signal service, synthesizing succintly a wealth of scholarship on his [Charles I] life, (...) and providing a well-balanced account, securely grounded in surviving documentation, which students and teachers alike will find instructive." English historical review, 1999



Book Information
ISBN 9780582253704
Author Jean Dunbabin
Format Paperback
Page Count 264
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 741g
Dimensions(mm) 139mm * 217mm * 15mm