Offers an opportunity to extend study of Europe and Islam in the Middle Ages to provide an account of the clash between the two cultures. The authors look at the composition of Christian Europe, the Arab and the Byzantine Empires in the 11th century and the origins of the crusading movement. A survey is made of the crusading movement as a whole, with a more detailed study of the first crusade and the establishment of the crusader states. The short and long-term effects of this clash of cultures are also looked at in detail. "Past Historic" has been specifically designed to fulfil the requirements of National Curriculum History at key stage 3 - and provide a coverage of major topics.