Description
Expedition of Catalans and Aragonese to the East
Book Summary
This classic work by Francisco de Moncada, originally published in 1623, narrates the epic adventure of the Great Catalan Company, an army of Almogavar mercenaries that, under the command of Roger de Flor, traveled to the East to fight against Turks and Greeks. The author combines historical rigor with an elegant style, drawing on the medieval chronicle of Ramon Muntaner and other sources to offer a fascinating account of the exploits, conflicts, and alliances of this light infantry group. An essential testimony to understanding a key episode in the Mediterranean expansion of the Crown of Aragon.
What is it about?
The book recounts the vicissitudes of the expedition of Catalan and Aragonese Almogavars who, at the beginning of the 14th century, were hired by the Byzantine Empire to fight against the Turks. The narrative begins with the siege of Messina in 1300 and follows the trajectory of Roger de Flor, who negotiates the treaty between the Byzantine emperor and the Catalans, and defends the city of Gallipoli from the attack of the Genoese. Moncada not only describes the battles and military strategies but also analyzes the political tensions, the shifting alliances, and the consequences of this intervention on the fragile balance of the Eastern Mediterranean. Through a rigorous contrast of sources, the author offers a complete vision of a historical episode full of action, betrayal, and heroism.
Main themes
- The military and political expansion of the Crown of Aragon in the Mediterranean during the 14th century.
- The role of the Almogavars as mercenary light infantry and their impact on Byzantine conflicts.
- Diplomatic relations and conflicts between Catalans, Aragonese, Greeks, Turks, and Genoese in the East.
- The historiographical rigor of the 17th century, with the comparison of medieval and Greek sources.
- The figure of Roger de Flor as a military leader and key strategist in the defense of Gallipoli.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the medieval history of Spain and the Mediterranean, especially in the expansion of the Crown of Aragon. It is also of great value to those who enjoy detailed military chronicles, tales of exploration, and historical political analysis. It is an ideal work for history students, fans of classic travel literature, and anyone who wants to discover the fascinating adventure of the Almogavars in the East.
What this book provides
- A rigorous and well-documented historical account of a little-known episode in European history.
- A unique vision of military strategies and diplomatic relations in the 14th-century Mediterranean.
- The pleasure of reading a 17th-century classic work, written in an elegant style that evokes the great Roman historians.
- A perspective on how history was constructed in the Early Modern period, contrasting diverse sources.
- The opportunity to learn about the figure of Roger de Flor and the epic of the Almogavars beyond the clichés.
Technical specifications
- Author: de Moncada, Francisco
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Classic texts, geographical discovery and exploration
- Collection: History-Travels
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2006
- Number of pages: 188
- Weight: 223 g
Editorial review
The work of Francisco de Moncada represents a bridge between the medieval chronicle and modern historiography. Its rigorous approach, which contrasts national and Greek sources, makes it a reference for scholars of Aragonese expansion. At the same time, its narrative style, which evokes Latin classics, makes it accessible and attractive to the non-specialist reader. This paperback edition from Linkgua Ediciones facilitates access to a fundamental text for understanding an exciting episode in the history of Spain and the Mediterranean.