Ousama Ibn Mounkidh

The following excerpt by Ousama Ibn Mounkidh is one of the very few sources available depicting the Crusades from an Arab perspective. In it, Ousama describes, in a surprisingly detached tone, the attitudes and behavior of several of the Christian crusaders he encountered. Ousama was an upper-class Arab gentleman whose autobiography chronicled events that occurred in the Middle East during much of the twelfth century.

Glory be to Allah, the creator and author of all things! Anyone who is acquainted with what concerns the Franks can only glorify and sanctify Allah the AllPowerful; for he has seen in them animals who are superior in courage and in zeal for fighting but in nothing else, just as beasts are superior in strength and aggressiveness.

Iwill report some Frankish characteristics and my surprise as to their intelligence.

In the army of King...