My Library is a collection of collections. I only have two bookcases upstairs-each in a guest bedroom. My library is really mostly downstairs. One bedroom has unusual and collectible pop-up books, resting in a glass Barrister’s bookcase. I show people unusual books from the case, when they visit. The other bedroom has my collection of Landmark books, for junior high students. Those books, all that I have (still looking for some), are in their dustjackets. I love their artwork in them. The books themselves, are all little pockets of history, whether a person, or an event. Always entertaining, and they are easy to read, or just browse through. If you have read many of my entries, you will see that I have often turned to that bookcase for books to display.
On September 3rd 1189, Richard I was crowned King of England. Richard the Lionhearted (he got that title fighting to recapture Jerusalem). I have the book “The Crusades” by Anthony West, Landmark books, 1954.
This book explains the four Crusades of Christians to the Holy Lands. Richard the Lionhearted was the end of the Third Crusade. The book goes into each different Crusade. There are many details in each. I would like to just point out a couple of facts about Richard the Lionhearted.
King Richard was a strong and brave fighter, not giving up when battles looks bleak and unwinnable. He could also be cruel, or a statesman. When Saladin the Sultan of Egypt kept stalling on paying ransom on 2600 prisoners that King Richard had captured, Richard took them all to the outside of the Sultan’s palace and killed every one.
Another time, Richard tried to get the Sultan’s son El Adil to marry his sister Joanna. Saladin would give half of Jerusalem to Joanna as a wedding present, and Richard would give half of the sea coast to El Adil. Then the Moslems and the Christians would respect each other’s Holy Land, and pilgrims of both religions could come and go freely. When Joanna heard of the plan (he hadn’t discussed it first) she would not marry an infidel. The fighting then continued, and finally ended with a truce between Muslems and Christians.
Also on September 3rd (1609) Henry Hudson sailed into the estuary of the Hudson River. I have the book “The Voyages of Henry Hudson” by Eugene Rachlis, 1962 published by Landmark Books.
He then went up the river, that would be named the Hudson. He was disappointed that it was not a way west to China, and sailed back home. His next trip was further north and he discovered what would be named Hudson straits and Hudson Bay. He got caught in the ice there during the winter. He again was disappointed that he had not found that China route.
The book goes into wonderful details of Hudson’s four trips across the Atlantic. While he did not find a route to China, Hudson’s discoveries did support great discoveries in the new world for colonists, including the trade of fur trapping, that the Hudson Bay company was able to monopolize.
So whether trying to re-claim land for religion, or staking out new lands for world trade, my Landmark books have enlightened us on a little history. This collection of books illuminates and informs, while we also indulge in interpeting the pages within.
Thanks for reading along.
Librarytomes 