The Destruction of Jerusalem, or Titus and Vespasian

Marked by antisemitism, Christian nationalism and violence, the Middle English poem The Destruction of Jerusalem is a C15th fictionalised version of the historical Roman siege of Jerusalem. Presented in the most comprehensive edition to date the poem will be of particular interest to scholars and students of Middle English romance.

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The Destruction of Jerusalem, also called Titus and Vespasian, is a fifteenth-century fictionalised version of the historical Roman siege of Jerusalem. Marked by antisemitism, Christian nationalism and violence, this Middle English poem weaves together sources both medieval and classical, transforming first-century Romans into Christian agents of divine vengeance.

This new edition expands our understanding of fall of Jerusalem narratives in later medieval England, bringing attention to a long-ignored English retelling of these first-century events that captivated Christian audiences.

Here presented in the most comprehensive edition to date, the poem will be of particular interest to scholars and students of Middle English romance, the Crusades, medieval antisemitism and literary reimaginings of historical events. The edition will be of value particularly in courses focused on Crusades traditions, traditions of medieval anti-Semitism, vernacular theology, or late medieval depictions of difference more broadly. The work complements other volumes in the METS series such as The King of Tars, Richard Coer de Lion and Crusades romances such as Three Middle English Charlemagne Romances.