The people behind
Real Crusades History...
RCH founder and principal J. Stephen Roberts holds a B.A. in medieval history and has researched and written about the Crusades for over fifteen years. He is also a writer of historical fiction and producer of video and audio presentations on the subjects of the Crusades and relevant topics.
RCH principal Scott Amis retired from a thirty-year professional and business career in 2004. He has since devoted his time to medieval and Crusades studies, and writing of historical fiction. He holds a B.S. in architecture, and has done graduate work in architecture and fine arts.
RCH principal Rand Brown holds a M.A. in military history and serves as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. He currently writes scholarly articles and papers on the subjects of the Crusades and medieval warfare.
RCH principle Peter Seferian is the newest addition to the RCH crew. He holds a B.A. in philosophy and helps run our YouTube page.
Dr. Helena Schrader holds a Ph.D in history from the University of Hamburg. She is presently a career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, and serves as Principal Editor for Real Crusades History. Dr. Schrader is the author of numerous scholarly works as well as award-winning historical fiction.
What We Do.....
Over the years Real Crusades History has amassed a massive library of literature related to the Crusades, including many primary sources as well as the best scholarship by the world's top Crusades historians. Through our videos and writings, we hope to deliver this treasure trove of knowledge in an accessible format.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments about the Crusades.
Historians today define the Crusades in the same way that they were defined in the Middle Ages: any war to which the Pope granted an indulgence: that is, spiritual merit which would remove the penalty of sin and bestow grace on the participant. For those who fought in them, the Crusades were holy acts that won them favor in the eyes of God. Starting with the First Crusade in 1095, the popes granted many Crusade indulgences up until the early modern era. Over the centuries, the main theaters for the Crusades were in the Holy Land, Spain, the Baltic, and in Eastern Europe and Italy against the Ottoman Turks.
The story behind the Logo......
Real Crusades History Logo was designed to incorporate symbols of the men that fought on the Crusades. The outline of the knights sword handle is from the High Middle Ages and was modeled on the Oakeshott type XII. The ring around the edge of the logo is inscribed with the motto of the Knights Templer - "Non Nobis Domine - Non Nobis Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam". The typography is Carolingian, used in France and the Holy Roman Empire between 800 and 1200.
Design by Noelle Weigel