Book Description

Τhe Cretan War (1645-1669) between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire is more than a famous chapter of war history; it served as an inspiration for and challenge to Western Europe. Trapped between their own old wars and novel commercial priorities, Catholics and Protestants had to decide how to deal with Islam: as crusaders or as merchants? This book describes the incredibly complex relationship between London, Venice and Constantinople during a most critical period of English history.