The First Crusade - The Role of the Christian Church

The UCL Institute of Archaeology and Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society will jointly host a lecture by Michael Billings on 11 December.

This lecture will explore the difficult journey of the First Crusade, from the initial call to action issued by Pope Urban II to the struggles and trials of almost four years spent on the road before reaching Jerusalem in 1099. The lecture will also include a tribute to the Crusades scholar, Professor Jonathon Riley Smith, of Cambridge University.

Malcolm Billings has been a journalist, writer and broadcaster for over 50 years. His contribution to archaeology began in 1977 when he became the presenter of the Radio 4 programme, "Origins" which reported on excavations across the world from the Nile Valley to Jordan, Syria, France and Greece. In recent years he has lectured at the British Museum, the Levantine Foundation, the Keynon Institute Jerusalem, and Edinburgh University.

Malcolm's books include The Crusades; (new edition), 2016, London, A companion to its History and Archaeology; 1994, The English, Making of a Nation from 430-1700; 1991, and Vartan of Nazareth, Missionary and Pioneer in 19th Century Palestine; 2012. He presented the Today Programme in the 1960s and 70s.

The lecture will finish approximately 7:00 pm, followed by questions, then a wine reception; all welcome. Admission free without ticket.

Further details

• Queries may be directed to the AIAS at secretary@aias.org.uk or to Rachael Sparks at r.sparks@ucl.ac.uk
• Further information about the lecture is available at: http://aias.org.uk/lectures-forthcoming/