Psychologist James Conner says the full historical context of the name needs to be appreciated when calls for a change in the name of the Crusaders are considered. I am compelled to highlight the need for historical context amidst the pressure for such a name change. Importantly, it should be acknowledged that many civilisations during the Middle Ages were culpable in that they committed terribly violent acts in the name of religion and race, and territorial, economic, and military expansion. Whilst the bubonic plague in the mid 14th century devastated large numbers of people across Asia and Europe, so did incessant warfare from the dark ages to the high Middle Ages. The Middle Ages may be synonymous with conflict, but it was also a period that saw several advances in the arts, literature, music, architecture, commerce, medicine and alchemy, science and technology, scholastic learning and the rise of universities.

Source: Stuff April 01, 2019 15:00 UTC