The wars of Frederick II against the Ibelins in Syria and Cyprus

The history of the War Between Frederick II and John d'Ibelin is not one of the world's greatest classics and can claim to be of no more than specialized interest as far as the events related therein are concerned. But it does depict most vividly the life and ideas of those medieval gentlemen who settled in the Latin Orient to make their fortunes in the thirteenth-century land of promise. It gives an excellent picture of colonial self-consciousness and local patriotism, of feudal relationships and loyalties.. And as a contribution to the general subject of the career and imperialism of Frederick II, Philip's work is worthy of more general attention.