Joseph of Arimathea, Crusader? Hero? Benefactor?

This article examines the comparison, made by Baldric of Bourgueil in his Historia Ierosolimitana, of Joseph of Arimathea with the first crusaders. It examines the historical evolution of the figure of Joseph from his brief appearance in the Bible to the time Baldric made the comparison. It assesses what Joseph meant to Baldric, provides a route into understanding the meaning of the text for the author and his audience, and a better appreciation of what would become the crusade vocation.