  The Crusades, especially the first, are quite possibly the most fascinating aspect of medieval history. Like war in general, I find the violence against soldier and the unarmed alike repugnant, yet strangely alluring. Especially intriguing is the manner in which the Latins and the Moslems, although officially sworn enemies, unofficially shared culture and civilization and, in many ways, cooperated in the diplomatic, intellectual, economic and even religious spheres. Along these lines, I am captivated by such personalities as Godfroi de Boulogne, who was a fearless warrior and pious Christian, but who, once in power, acted with much tolerance and humility, and was respected among the Moslem leaders, and by the Knights Templar, who similarly were great and fearless warriors in combat, but actively kept ties with Islam, in conquest as well as in defeat, and who were nearly universally respected by friend and foe alike. 
The Crusades: A Chronicle in Art - A very
well-done page containing historical art on the Crusades, which follows
a basic history of the Crusades. A little slow in the loading, but
one of my favorite sites.
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