Castles in the Crusader States 1100-1131 Flashcards
what did Castles and fortified sites, including towns and rural manor houses, help the crusaders to do?
essential for crusaders to preserve their hold on the Holy Land and provide centers of authority
what were the functions of castles in outremer?
defensive, offensive, administrative, judicial, for accommodation, as a demonstration of power, as a place of refuge - this is seen in the diversity of shapes and styles used
what did crusader castles have to balance?
defence and practicality
why was using existing castles helpful to the crusaders?
problems like securing water supplies, sourcing workmen, masons, and tools, building cranes and scaffolding, and protecting the site were less acute
what was Krak Des Chevaliers the headquarters of?
Headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller in Syria
what building styles did Krak des Chevaliers mix?
Mixture of French and Arabic
what strategically important position did Krak des Chevaliers occupy?
east of Tripoli on a high cliff above the only route from Antioch to Beirut; possession by the Franks was critical to defense of their holdings in N. Syria
what did Krak des Chevaliers help the Franks to defend?
their holdings in N. Syria
who build Krak des Chevaliers, originally?
Originally built in 1031 by emir of Aleppo
which crusader originally captured Krak des Chevaliers?
Raymond of Toulouse
why did Raymond of Toulouse have to abandon Krak des Chevaliers?
to continue march to Jerusalem
who occupied Krak des Chevaliers after Raymond of Toulouse, in 1110?
Tancred of Hauteville occupied it
who gave Krak des Chevaliers to the Hospitallers?
Raymond II, Count of Tripoli
who built Montreal in 1115?
Baldwin I
why did Baldwin I build Montreal in 1115?
to protect K. of Jerusalem in the south and expand eastward
how was the placement of Montreal strategic?
- Necessary to erect castles at vulnerable points along eastern frontier as well as along coast and inland
- Strategically located on a hill on the plain of Edom, along pilgrimage and caravan routes from Syria to Arabia
- Allowed Baldwin to control the commerce of the area; pilgrims and merchants needed permission to travel past
- Surrounded by relatively fertile land & 2 cisterns carved into hill
what did Montreal allow Baldwin I to control?
the commerce of the area; pilgrims and merchants needed permission to travel past
where was Toron built?
the Lebanon mountains, on the road from tyre to damascus
why was Toron built?
to help capture Tyre
where was Toron the centre of?
centre of Lordship of Toron (seigneury within K. of Jerusalem)
how did Toron protect the crusaders?
was a major obstacle to the Muslim goal of invading the Frankish K. of Jerusalem from the east
