Crusading Warfare

Exploring the Military History of the Crusades

William James Hamblin
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Blue boxes contain references
to, or quotations from
primary sources

Gold boxes contain

references to secondary
sources.

White boxes are summaries

of primary sources.
Color coded
Green text boxes contain my
analysis, notes, commentary,
and explanations.
text boxes
Brown text boxes provide
place and location names, and
other geographical
information
 Boundaries
Major States
Secondary States
Minor Principalities
Tribal Confederations
Note: Boundaries lines are often hypothetical.
They also usually represent zones of influence
rather than boundaries as understood today.
 1/11/ Siege of Antioch
4a- Crusader Approach to Antioch
1097 October 21-23
0 50 100 150 k Varna
Strategic Situation: Siege of Antioch 1097/10
Ardas a
Preslav Sinope Kur
B Primary Sources: Siege of Antioch
Georgia
Adrianople Anthologies (David IV)
Gabrielli AHC {1089-1125}
Krey FCA §4
Constantinople Peters FCC §7
Rodosto Trebizond
B Rubenstein, FCD §5
Tyerman is
Nicomedia ps CFC §5

ios
am

gar
Civetot Ir is Western
Saltuqids
Ac

San
Albert 3.36-4.26
(Saltuq) Aras
Yesil o r u h
s
Danishmendids i rmak C Caffaro —
{1090?-1102}
ra
ni cu Cyzicus Nicaea Rum Seljuqs Mengujekids
Canso —
Theodosopolis
Abydos G (Danishmend Ghazi) (Mengujek) Teleboas
Elkhan Sank (Qilich
arya 1 Arslan) {1090?-1118} Ekkehard —

dacus

u)
{1085?-1104}

S
{1092-1107} Sebastia Fulcher 1.15-17

at
S u)

ur
a
Rhyn
Ankyra (Kar →Bartolf —

(M
Byzantine Dorylaeum →Malmesbury 4.358-363
Empire Gesta 5-8/12-20 (p 28-48)
k
Pergamum Amorium i rma nias →Baldric 2 Akhlat
Alexios Haly zi l A rs a
iz Ki →Orderic 9
{1081-1118} Chaka He II G e d s
rm
us Philomelium Melitene →Guibert 4.3-5.7
Smyrna 1- Route of the →Peter 4a-6m (p 43-65)
First Crusade →Robert 3.29-4.14
Antioch Caesarea
Gilo 5.1-7.292
Armenian
k
yu

Meander Iconium Letters (LFE) §5-9

Bu

1 Principalites DiyarbakrRalph 48-69

han
1 Coxon
an

Sey
Tangipernes Laodicea y h
✝ Raymond 4-6 (p 30-50)

Ti
Cilician Gates e

g
C
William 4.9-5.23 ←Albert

ris
Heraclea Marash
Eastern Christian

s
Saru
Adana mus Anna (G) 9.6
ra Edessa
Py
1 Mathew (A) 2.113-
Attalia Michael (S) 15.7a-d
Goksu Cal Tarsis Belen Pass →Bar Hebraeus p Mosul
234-5
Rhodes yca
dnu
s Antioch Syriaco(S)u g hp a70-71,
K
Muslime rb
YaghiSiyan Ridwan
Seleucia St Simeon
Euphr
ates IA= Ibn al-Athir 1:14-5
Aleppo

Zab
Studies (10:274-5 = AHC p 2-4)

ater
Asbridge §5-6 Raqqa
IQ = Ibn al-Qalanisi {a490}

Gre
Asbridge, Antioch 26 Latakia Rahba KD = Kamal al-Din 1:345-7
France §7-8 =R580-2 Seljuq empire
Frankopan §9b-10a Nicosia
t i n e Maq = Maqrizi Barkiyaruq
{a490}
a n Hama
Nicolle 49-58 Byz Poetry (Latiff) §4
{1092-1105}
Rogers, Latin Siege 25-39 Paphos SJ = Sibt b al-Jawzi {a490} —
Homs
Rubenstein §9-12 Janah al-
Runciman 1:213-264 Tripoli
Dawla
Mamistra
Strategic Situation: Siege of Antioch 1097/10
Jerablus
Primary Sources: Siege of Antioch

s
Mt
Anthologies

s
aeu
Gabrielli AHC

Am
Ayas Krey FCA §4
Cyrrhus Peters FCC §7
Rubenstein, FCD
Eup §5
h
Tyerman CFC §5rates
Western
Azaz Albert 3.36-4.26
Alexandretta ♜
Caffaro —
Darbsak Canso
Manbij— ♜

asu
♜ Ekkehard — Qalat al-Najm

Kar
Syrian Fulcher 1.15-17
Gates →Bartolf —
→Malmesbury 4.358-363
♜
Gesta 5-8/12-20 (p 28-48)
Baghras rin
Af →Baldric 2
→Orderic 9
Lake →Guibert 4.3-5.7
Antioch
→Peter 4a-6m (p 43-65)
Artah →Robert 3.29-4.14
♜
Onr
ante ♜
Aleppo Gilo 5.1-7.292
Letters (LFE) §5-9
Antioch YS ✝♜ s
Iron Harim Aleppo (Ridwan)
Ralph 48-69
Bridge {1095-1113} Raymond 4-6 (p 30-50)
Atharib
William 4.9-5.23 ←Albert
s
te
an

Eastern Christian
nr

St Simeon
O

♜ Anna (G) 9.6

Mathew (A) 2.113-
Antioch Michael (S) 15.7a-d
(Yaghi-Siyan) Qinnasrin →Bar Hebraeus p 234-5 Eu
{1086-1098} Syriac (S) p 70-71, ph
ra
te
Muslim s
IA= Ibn al-Athir 1:14-5
Studies (10:274-5 = AHC p 2-4)Balis
Asbridge §5-6 IQ = Ibn al-Qalanisi {a490}
Asbridge, Antioch 26 KD = Kamal al-Din 1:345-7
Jisr
al-Shughur France §7-8 =R580-2
Frankopan §9b-10a Maq = Maqrizi {a490}
Nicolle 49-58 Poetry (Latiff) §4
tes

Rogers, Latin Siege 25-39 SJ = Sibt b al-Jawzi {a490} —

Onran

Rubenstein §9-12
Runciman 1:213-264
 Yaghi-Siyan Prepares for the Siege 1097/10/
2- {1097/10/early} Requisition of Supplies and Equipment

Karasu
[William 4.11f; Albert 3.35d; Letter 5c (Stephen)]
In the meantime, Yaghi Siyan, very uneasy over the coming of the
Christians, diligently levied and assembled troops from the neighboring
provinces and cities. In daily expectation of a siege, he collected food
supplies and got together arms. With ardent zeal he encouraged the
townspeople to bring in materials for the construction of various
machines: iron, steel, and all other things which are customarily of
used at such times. … Roving over the entire region, they despoiled the
surrounding country and carried off with them grain, wine, oil, and all Iron

s
te
the other necessaries of life. They drove off flocks and herds and filled Bridge

an
nr
the city to overflowing with every necessary commodity. Thus, with ♜

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great foresight and no small labor, they strengthened their position ✝
against the importunity of the advancing [Crusader] army.

On
♜

ran
YS

tes
1a- Most medieval Chroniclers of the Crusades
s
te
an

mispronounce and misspell the names of foreign peoples.

nr
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1 1- {1097/10/early} Call for an anti-Crusader Coalition 1b- Shams al-Dawla had been sent by his father Yaghi-
[Albert 3.36b; William 4.11e; IQ a490] Siyan to gather reinforcements from Antioch’s vassals,
Shams al-Dawla [Sansadonias], son of King Yaghi-Siyan [Darsiani], rules as very strong prince in this
and attempt to form an anti-Crusader coalition with
city [Antioch], and we have found out that four amirs [ammiraldos], very noble and very powerful as if
they were kings, have been summoned and have come together at Yaghi-Siyan's command, and they and Ridwan of Aleppo, Janah al-Dawla of Hims, Duqaq of
their men, because of their fear of our approach, have taken warning and have armed in a strong force. Damascus, and perhaps Kerbougha of Mosul.
 Yaghi-Siyan Expels the Christians 1097/10/

Karasu
3- {1097/10/early} Expulsion of the Christians of Antioch
[IA 1:14=10:274 (a491)]
When the ruler Yaghī Siyān heard of [the Crusaders’] coming, he feared the Iron

s
te
Christians in the city [of Antioch]. He sent out the Muslim inhabitants by Bridge

an
nr
themselves and ordered them to dig the moat. Then the next day he sent out ♜

O
the Christians also to dig the moat, unaccompanied by any Muslim. They ✝
laboured on it until the evening but when they wished to enter the city he
prevented them and said, ‘You can give me Antioch until I see how things
will be with us and the Franks.’ They asked, ‘Who will look after our sons
and our wives?’ ‘I will look after them in your place,’ he replied. So they
held back and took up residence in the Frankish camp. … Yaghī Siyān
protected the families of those Christians of Antioch, whom he had expelled,
and restrained the hands that would do them harm.

3a- Expulsion of the Christians of Antioch

1- Use of corvée labor to clear the moat and make repairs
2- Reasons for the Expulsion of Christian males
3

On
♜ A- Trust: Christians had risen against the Turks in other cities

ran
YS the Crusaders had conquered (e.g. Artah)

tes
B- Supplies: refugees and excess population would take
supplies from the combat troops, decreasing the amount of time
the city could withstand a siege.
C- Spies in the Crusader camp
s
te
an

3- Families kept in Antioch as hostages for the expelled

nr
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Christians, but treated them well

4- The expelled Christians could provide labor for the
Crusaders, and information about Antioch, but also decreased
their food supply.
 Yaghi-Siyan Prepares for the Siege 1097/10/mid

Karasu
1- 1097/10/early. Refugees
[William 4.11g]
In the same hope of gaining safety, without waiting for summons
from anyone they betook themselves to Antioch, whose
fortifications and strength seemed impregnable. The population of Iron

s
te
Bridge

an
the city [of Antioch] was greatly increased by these fugitives

nr
♜

O
1 ✝

2- 1097/10//19. Troops Gather to Antioch

[Albert 3.35c]
The Turks [fleeing from their defeat at the
Iron Bridge], taking flight on swiftest horses,
turned back to Antioch, speeding their way
through the steep mountain slopes and places
known to them.

On
♜

ran
YS

tes
1
s
te
an
nr
O
 Crusader War Council 1097/10/17?

Karasu
Iron

s
te
Bridge

an
nr
♜

O
✝
1

1- Crusader War Council {1097/10/17?}

[William 4.12a-b; Raymond 4a]
A- Send the army to winter camp, to rest and resupply,
and begin the siege in the spring after the Byzantine army
of Alexios arrives to reinforce.
B- Begin the siege immediately so the city could not
gather supplies and reinforcements from the surrounding
Muslim city states.

On
♜

ran
YS

tes
s
te
an
nr
O
 Crusaders Capture a Turkish Supply Column 1097/10/20

Karasu
Iron

s
te
Bridge

an
nr
♜

O
✝

⚔
2- Crusaders plunder supply column 2
[Guibert 4.3c-d; + Gesta 5/12a=28→WT 4.8h + Letter §3e (Anselm); Albert 3.35c]
When our men saw [the Turkish supply column], they charged with Frankish
ferocity, and almost instantly defeated them and scattered them in all directions. …
the Turks threw away the arms that only moments before had been able to inspire
terror.
The mass of [Turkish] foot-soldiers [guarding the supply column] fled through
their own lines, in their haste and confusion wounding and crushing their own allies. Tu
… great quantities of grain and wine fell into our hands, and the foot-soldiers
acquired the valuable horses, camels, mules, and asses that remained.

On
♜

ran
YS

tes
2a- This Turkish supply column had probably not heard of
the Crusader victory at the Iron Bridge, and therefore
continued their march towards Antioch, and where
ambushed on the road.
1
s
te
an
nr
O

1- Turkish Supply Column

[Guibert 4.3b] [The Crusaders]
met up with a large force of Turks,
who were well supplied with
provisions, and were hurrying to
bring aid to the besieged.
 Crusader Order of March to Antioch 1097/10/20
2-{1097/09/20} Crusader order of march

1-{1097/09/20} Bohemond’s Vanguard
[Gesta 5/12a; Guibert 4.3c]
Karasu
[Albert 3.36d]
Duke Godfrey … [is] going ahead to bring together and
control the army in the vanguard. … The battle order has 4- Tatikios is placed in the rearguard because his
been drawn up. Robert of Flanders and Robert count of Turkish mercenaries could best deal with potential
Normandy, Stephen of Blois, Count Raymond, Tatikios, harassment in the rear by Turkmen skirmishers.
member of the emperor of Constantinople's household, Adam
son of Michael, Roger of Barneville—if the plan is acceptable
—will govern and protect the rearmost battle lines of cavalry
and infantry Iron

s
4

te
The gallant Bohemond came at once [as a Bridge

an
nr
vanguard to Antioch] with four thousand Ta ♜

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knights to guard the city gate, so that no-one
could go out or come in secretly by night. Ra
2
St
1 Go RF RN 3
Ta
Bo

3a-{1097/09/20} Equipment of the Crusader Army 3b-

3b-Numbers in the Crusader
Both Christian and Muslim Army at Antioch.
sources often wildly
[Albert 3.37a, c] The number of
exaggerate thesoldiers
number given by both Western
of soldiers. The exact number of
[The Crusader army was] splendid with their shields of gold and Easternonsources areCrusade
often very exaggerated.

On
♜ Crusaders the First is therefore not known with

ran
colour, green, red, and every shade, and with their banners Three hundred
certainty. thousand
Modern Crusader
scholars combatants
generally estimate the number of
YS

tes
held high, picked out in gold and visibly ornamented with all are far too combatants
Crusader many. Modern at thescholars generally
beginning of the put
First Crusade at
kinds of workmanship in royal purple, on horses very the total 50-60
around number of Crusader
thousand combatants
(France §5). The at number of
suitable for war, wearing quite magnificent hauberks and 50,000-60,000 [Franceat§5].
Crusader combatants By the
Antioch wastime they around
perhaps
helmets.…the number of so great an army may be reckoned by reached Antioch
30-40,000, with they perhaps
around 4000,numbered
or roughlyaround
10% knights.
all beyond doubt at three hundred thousand fighting men, 35,000-40,000 combatants, of whom perhaps
s
te
an

not counting women and children following, 4000 were knights.

nr
O
 Crusading Warfare
Next = 1/11/4b: Investment of Antioch

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