Saracens by John Tolan provides a good introduction to the literate medieval person's mindset. Most literate people in the Middle Ages were religious leaders, so the majority of the sources he cites are church leaders. Tolan shows how beginning in the 8th C Syrian Christians were overrun by followers of Islam, most often referred to as Saracens, Ishmaelites, or Arabs.

Isadore of Spain had three categories for non-Christians: Jews, pagans and heretics. His typology was taken as truth for early medieval Christians and they spent much time and energy trying to force Islam to fit one of the pre-existing molds.

The original dhimmis (second class conquered peoples, Jews and Christians) took a very Old Testament approach. Islam was viewed as a temporary trouble; a punishment sent by God to purge Christians of their sins. They thought that it was just another barbarian invasion which would soon run itself out and dissolve. They saw no reason to learn anything about Islam, but focused more on internal divisions and problems.

Once Islam conquered Spain in 711 Western Europe began to pay attention, and saw Islam as a new religious threat to be refuted. Some attempt was made to learn about Islam, and a few tracts and treatises were written against it. But the Westerners who were safe beyond the Alps still had no idea what they were talking about. However when fear of the 'other' was added to half-truths and misperceptions Islam was distorted by church leaders. Muhammad was portrayed as a trickster, false prophet and a practitioner of black magic. The sexual and worldly treasures to be found in paradise were denounced as sin by celibate Church leaders.

The Christian dhimmis in Spain and Syria living under Islam and daily interacting with it tended to view it as a heresy, while the intellectuals living in safety branded it pagan idolatry. Finally the Qur'an was translated into Latin and Westerner leaders could actually study it. Gradually a more accurate view of Islam was developed and arguments through reason were enacted to convert the Saracen. Even with the best minds of the times trying to refute Islam through conventional means they were more often than not unsuccessful. Franciscan and Dominican missionaries went to Spain, North Africa, and the Holy Land in attempts to either gain a martyrs crown and a heavenly reward (typically Franciscan) or gain converts through special schooling and training in order to dialogue with them (Dominicans).

As arguments through reason failed Saracens were viewed as less intelligent than normal pagans or heretics. If reason was not enough to persuade them then force was deemed necessary. Christian leaders became disillusioned as missionary attempts failed, and as crusade after crusade failed to gain permanent possession of the Holy Land. Islam did not fit into their nice little categories; and finally some scholars began to accept it as a separate religion. Hostility continued to rise as Christian's vilified Islam and the centuries old stereotypes persisted in later arguments. The tensions and rivalries founded by misrepresenting a new religion have impacted future generations down to our own day. ( )