Citation

Bellomo E. Early Medieval Europe 2009; 17(4): 420-443.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-0254.2009.00284.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Translatio sancti Nicolai is the earliest Venetian source to describe the deeds of the first crusaders from Venice. It is most likely based on an eyewitness account of the events that was later rewritten in order to provide the historical context for the translation of St Nicholas's relics to Venice. This source ambivalently depicts the nature of the crusader battles, both emphasizing the spiritual value of this fight, mainly seen as a way to fulfil the sequela Christi, and highlighting the significant economic implications of the Christian conquest of the Holy Land.