Erin R. WestmanDr. John RobertsonHistory Department

Central Michigan University

Address differences in weapons and military tactics between the Muslim and the Crusader military forces.

Examine the degree of borrowing and/or adaptation that occurred. Borrowing is defined here as the temporary short-term

appropriation of military technology for a specific purpose. Adaptation is defined here as the long-term integration of

military technology within the culture itself. The First and Third Crusades (1096-1192) will be the

focus of the analysis. The techniques include: siege machines, the “couched”

lance and saddle with attached stirrup.

First Crusade: 1096-1099 C.E. Began as a response to the Muslim attack and capture of

Jerusalem in the 7th century. Aim was to regain Christian control of Jerusalem and

the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Largely successful; Jerusalem conquered which led to

the creation of Crusader states along the Mediterranean. Crusaders conquered cities along the Mediterranean

coast and built fortified castles across the Holy Land to protect new territories.

Third Crusade: 1189-1192 C.E. After the First Crusade, new leaders began to restore

Muslim unity in the Near East. Third Crusade began as a response to the capture of

Jerusalem in 1187 by Muslims under their new leader, Salah ad-din Yusuf ibn Ayyub – known by Europeans as Saladin.

European kingdoms of England, France and the Holy Roman Empire participated.

A Muslim victory: the Crusaders did not regain the Kingdom of Jerusalem and lost strategic coastal cities.

Historical research involves interpretation of primary sources as well as secondary sources.

Primary sources are original historical documents of the time period under study. Examples include: Gilbert of Nogent’s, Historia quae dicitur

Gesta Dei per Francos; Ralph of Caen’s, Gesta Taneredri Secondary sources reflect later the interpretation of the original

primary documents. Examples include: Carole Hillenbrand, Christopher

Tyerman, Jonathan Riley-Smith, Steven Runciman, David Nicolle, and Adrian Boas.

6th Century Trebuchet recreated in France.

Siege machines were adopted by both the Muslims and the Crusaders.

Primarily countered the development of castles, which emerge during the 2nd Crusade.

They were used as both a weapon and a tactic.

Greatest amount of cross-cultural impact within the Middle East.

“Couched” Lance from the 8th Century.

Briefly borrowed by the Muslims during the First Crusade.

“Shock and Awe” tactic utilized by the Crusading Knights.

Not successful because of the specialization of armor and tactical uses.

5th Century

stirrup.

Reconstructed 8th Century saddle.

Independently developed within both the Muslim and Crusader cultures.

Muslims adopted the saddle for ceremonial, ornamental and status purposes.

The Muslims’ lack of heavy armor did not require them to have a continued use of the stirrup.

The saddle symbolized the conquest of the enemy rather than a tactical adaptation.

Research indicates that borrowing occurred more frequently than adaptation. Climate and geography Culture Distance

How much of the original representation of the culture was seen in saddle with attached stirrup, siege machine, and the couched lance?

When does borrowing or adaptation occur for cultural purpose versus a militarist one? How early in the historical record does this split occur and by what cultures?

Questions?