
Renaissance #219 – Jerusalem or Bust (The Crusades part 28)
From The Renaissance Times by Cameron Reilly & Ray Harris
July 4, 2025 · 19 min
About this episode
Cameron and Ray explore the challenges faced by the Crusaders as they advance towards Jerusalem during the First Crusade, highlighting political dynamics and tactical decisions.
In Episode 219 of The Renaissance Times, Cameron and Ray are diving deep into the next leg of the First Crusade. They follow Raymond of Toulouse as he reluctantly resumes the crusade toward Jerusalem, dealing with infighting, cannibalism fatigue, and logistical nightmares. The episode paints a vivid picture of political fragmentation within the Muslim world at the time — from the Fatimids in Egypt under Al-Afdal to the squabbling Turkish emirs — and highlights the complex, cynical diplomacy that both sides employed. There’s history, yes, but also siege engines, geopolitical realpolitik, sex jokes, and a warning not to be the last guy holding the rope. The Crusaders inch closer to their holy goal, but not without betraying allies, pillaging sheep, and making questionable tactical decisions. As always, Cameron and Ray bring levity, wit, and brutal honesty to a bloody chapter of history. There's something secret here that only members can see. Probably an audio player or something. If you want to listen to one of our many free episodes, go here . FREE EPISODES The post Renaissance #219 – Jerusalem or Bust (The Crusades part 28) appeared first on The Renaissance Times .
People in this episode
Hosts: Cameron Reilly, Ray Harris
Topics covered
- First Crusade
- Jerusalem
- political fragmentation
- diplomacy
- infighting
- logistics
- cannibalism
Keywords
- Crusades
- Jerusalem
- Raymond of Toulouse
- Al-Afdal
- Fatimids
- Turkish emirs
- infighting
- cannibalism
- logistics
- diplomacy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Fatimids, Turkish emirs
Places: Jerusalem
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