Crusader Castles: 1st (First) Edition

by Hugh Kennedy

This is a general account of the history and architecture of Crusader castles in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, County of Tripoli and Principality of Antioch between 1099 and 1291, the years during which the Crusaders had a permanent presence on the Levantine coast.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

NOTE: There is more than one author with this name on Goodreads.
Hugh^Kennedy

Has studies Arabic at the Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies. Went on to read Arabic, Persian & History at Cambridge. Taught in the Department of Medieval History at St Andrews since 1972, and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2000).

Reviews

[Mariusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very solidly put together piece of research, though hardly a book to be consumed by people who are not medieval castle freaks. Very interesting at building historical context.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another Extremely good read. Storming through books before I start a new work contract.

Phenomenal introduction section to the development of crusader studies, followed by how crusader archaeology has progressed.

Great use of key sources like William of Tyre, Yaqut al-Hamawi and al-Maqdisi.

The section covering the narrative of The Kingdom of Jerusalem was phenomenal. All narratives supplemented with well sourced examples from the crusader - islamic world at this time.

Another highlight was siege warfare and technical developments in the Outremer around this time. I now understand Naft (Greek fire), undermining walls and the three main types of stone slinging siege equipment, Mangonel - Petrary, Trebuchet.

Invented in China, Trebuchet (weighted flinging machine) first used by Avars at the siege of Thessaloniki 597 in the west- used in islamic world from the rise of the prophet. 885 - 6 Norse use them in the north west when attacking Paris. Fall out of favour then reappear in second half of twelfth century where used in siege of Lisbon and then take forefront of the story. New innovations paved by Byzantium using 50 - 300KG stones (double mons meg balls mate)

Logistics is key - how crusaders provisioned supplies in preparation for a siege and examples of when they failed in this was interesting.

My favourite funny account in Fulcher of Chartres is - “King Baldwin II at Kharput, north of the County of Edessa. The king had been sent to the castle as a prisoner, but with the aid of some local Armenians had succeeded in taking it over. The Muslim lord Belek was furious and began to attack it”.

Rest in peace Imad al-Din Zengi
Atabeg of Mosul, Aleppo, Hama and Edessa, Mesopotamia & Fulk (the younger) of Anjou - King of Jerusalem
Crusader ruler from 1131 to 1143.

Only criticism - Would have liked to seen more rounded explanation of Principality of Antioch, Tripoli and Edessa & a little heavy handed on certain naming terminology like ‘muslim’ and ‘christian’ (although that was definitely the cultural norm for the day I guess so perhaps ignore this second one)

real shame nothing remains of the ‘Sea Castle’ of Sidon.

Really want to get back into the 1100 / 1200s again. With my first Holyrood paycheque might obtain / re read:

Alexios I Komnenos in the Balkans, 1081-1095 by Marek Mesko

John II Komnenos, Emperor of Byzantium: In the Shadow of Father and Son

The Empire of Manuel I Komnenos: 1143-1180

Byzantium and the crusader states, 1096-1204 by Ralph-Johannes Lilie

(and last but not least) The Kingdom of Cyprus and the Crusades: 1191–1374 by Peter Edbury

[John Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nearly the definitive work on crusader castles.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Lots of information but readable. Loved the way they made connections between the crusader castles and ones in Britain and Europe.