ABSTRACT
In1099theCrusaderscameasarmedpilgrimsintotheHolyLand. TheycametoliberatethecountryfromtheMuslims,whomatthat stagetheyregardedastheenemy,andtomaketheChristian pilgrimagealastingpossibility.Theaimwasclearfromtheirpoint ofview.Astotheirenemy,theMuslims,theyweretostartwith regardedasidolworshippers,infactearlyauthorssaidthatanidol ofMuhammadstoodintheDomeoftheRock,1solittledidthey yetunderstandaboutIslam.Saewulfisanexcellentexampleofthe rumoursprevailingintheaftermathofawar.Heattributesthe presenceofhighwaymenontheroadfromJoppatoJerusalemto thefactthattheyareSaracens,perhapslittlethinkingthat highwaymenexistedwellbeforetheCrusades.2Heattributesthe destructionofChristianholyplacestothepagans,soforinstance hisdescriptionofStSaba'sMonastery(whichhehadnotvisited)is basedonplainrumour,andasAbbotDanielsaidfouryearslater, dependsondisasterswhichtookplacetwohundredyearsbefore.3
LittlebylittlethisattitudetotheMuslimschanged.Partlythe changecamebecausesomeofthemembersoftheLatinKingdom learnedArabic,4andpartlybecausetheycametorespectIslamic societybyhavingMuslimallies.s
