"Good" and "Evil" in the Middle Ages - Historum

**oshron** · August 8th, 2009, 09:29 AM

"evil" is all a point of view. every person who loves history knows or should know that. however, in the history books and other historical accounts, there is always one side that is cast as the "good" and the other as the "bad". i know modern history the best, as in WWI and WWII as well as some present day stuff, but im wondering what factions are regarded as "good" and "evil" in the medieval period. any help?

**sturm** · August 8th, 2009, 10:11 AM

Point of view actually, i may see the french as the good guys in the hundred years war, and somebody else might see them as the bad guys and justify the british.
World war 1 is the same, i dont see anything bad in the Central powers, and the cause for which they fought.

**oshron** · August 8th, 2009, 10:16 AM

i know, thats my opinion too, but im asking what medieval entities are typically cast as the "good" and "bad" guys, regardless of what their motives were

Melisende · August 8th, 2009, 06:51 PM

Catholic Church - good
Eastern Church - bad

Catholics - good
Protestants - bad

Christianity - good
Islam - bad

But as you say, it all a matter of perspective

**Lucius** · August 8th, 2009, 07:00 PM

Right makes might at the end of the day. What time is it, anyway?

Melisende · August 8th, 2009, 07:10 PM

1.10pm

DesertPilot · August 8th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Basically, if one reads contemporary documents, it's clear that everyone knew they were good. Because they were fighting a just war. In accordance with the Divine Will. After all, their priests told them so!

Though one cannot help but wonder what might have happened to priests who expressed a divergent opinion...

**vera** · August 9th, 2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertPilot

Basically, if one reads contemporary documents, it's clear that everyone knew they were good. Because they were fighting a just war. In accordance with the Divine Will. After all, their priests told them so!

Though one cannot help but wonder what might have happened to priests who expressed a divergent opinion...

Yes, especially taking into account that the said priests have absolved them of their potential crimes ahead of time, so they could actually do what they pleased. Now that would count for pretty good, would it not?

Thyra · August 10th, 2009, 09:10 AM

Charlemagne was both "good" and "bad"..He was the Father of Europe, took a great interest in education for all his people, rich or poor, and was one of the "Greats" in ancient times. On the other hand, he also beheaded 4,000 Saxons in one day because they refused to be converted to christianity.

Tuman bay · April 4th, 2010, 08:14 AM

Christianity - Crusaders : bad

Islam : good

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Judaism - Israel :bad

Islam - arab - Palestine : good

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Secularists - atheists : bad

Islam : good