Getting away with murder: Runciman and Conrad of Montferrat’s career in Constantinople

Gilchrist, M. (2012) Getting away with murder: Runciman and Conrad of Montferrat’s career in Constantinople. Mediæval Journal, 2(1), pp. 15-36.

Abstract

In his History of the Crusades (1952), Steven Runciman claimed that Conrad of Montferrat arrived in Tyre in 1187 after involvement in "a murder" in Constantinople. This alleged “murder” was Conrad’s defeat in battle of the rebel general Alexios Vranas, described by Niketas Choniates and other chroniclers. Runciman’s use of sources is examined, together with possible reasons for misrepresenting the incident. Questions are raised about the relationship between academic and popular historiography through the uncritical repetition of the murder accusation in later popular works, and Conrad’s stereotyping in English-language fiction.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Conrad of Montferrat, Steven Runciman, Alexios Vranas, Isaac II Angelos, Constantinople, Tyre, Niketas Choniates, Third Crusade, historiography, historical fiction, Walter Scott, William Stubbs
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gilchrist, Dr Marianne
• Authors: Gilchrist, M.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > D History (General); D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D111 Medieval History; D History General and Old World > DF Greece; D History General and Old World > DG Italy; P Language and Literature > PR English literature
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > English Literature
• Journal Name: Mediæval Journal
• Journal Abbr.: TMJ
• Publisher: Brepols
• ISSN: 2033-5385
• Copyright Holders: Brepols

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