Week 5 - Colonisation and conquest

Question 1

narratives of crusade

Answer 1

Traditional:
Western and latin-christian centred
Why popes became involved in Byzantine affairs
What motivated the Franks to join crusade
Internal politics of Frankish states in the east
How crusade changed the west

New:
More attention to pre-exisiting situation in the east
Muslim and Jewish perspectives
Interaction and encounter among involved parties
Crusades integrated into a longer history, not isolated

Question 2

background in the east

Answer 2

Local conflict in Syria (1060-70s):
Conquest for minor Muslim dynasty and control of Aleppo
Interference/backing of Fatimid caliphs of N Africa
Seljuq Turks, allies of Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad:
Hired mercenaries, become conquerors: Sultanate of Rum
Note: Like Normans in Sicily
Significant migration into Syria and central Asia
Local emirates abandon Fatimid sponsors

Results:
Power balance between Fatimids, Byzantines and minor local emirates destabilised
New lines of Muslim sectarian interface
Fatimids are Shi’ite and Seljuqs are Sunnis

Question 3

In Byzantium

Answer 3

Schism between Latin and Greek Christianity after 1054
Internal power struggles
Norman invasions from Sicily and South Italy
Problematic alliances with Venice
Growing Balkan powers to the North
Seljuq conquests in Syria and Anatolia

Question 4

And in the west

Answer 4

Developing paranoia over religious practice and pollution
Grass roots pious movements rise
Tradition of pilgrimage to holy places
Increased attention to Jesus as a suffering human
Imagery of Jesus as lord to whom one owed allegiance and service (including military) - should be avenged
Schism within Latin christianity - two people claiming to be pope
Repeated calls for mercenary assistance by Byzantine rulers

Question 5

Latin Christian motives

Answer 5

Piety (show of faith; service to God)
Pilgrimage to Holy Land
Conquest and colonisation of new lands
Gain status and reputation through feats of arms
Export violence to bring local peace in Europe
Reunify E/W christianity
Protect pilgrims; Christians of the east
Avenge Christians of the east or insults to God
Control of Holy Land

Question 6

the crusades

Answer 6

Two centuries of Latin Christian involvement on the ground in the Near East
Shifting modes of encounter:
Invasion
Conquest
Colonisation
Alliances and competition with Byzantium and local Islamic emirates, among Frankish states and between local Franks and incomers
Defeats
treaties

Question 7

crusades: first phase

Answer 7

Unexpected Latin victories/conquests (see it as a God-given victory, written after success and not before)
Establishment of Frankish states
County of Edessa
Antioch
Jerusalem
Tripoli
Ruled by Latin Christians of Frankish and Norman descent
Encounters among mixed populations of Muslims, Jews, various eastern Christians and ruling Franks

Question 8

second phase

Answer 8

A borderland
Instability of Latin rule in the east - contingent on local balance of power, especially Islamic sectarianism
Major territorial changes - Edessa, Acre, Ascalon and Jerusalem
New parties entered play: Mamluks, Mongols (convert to Islam)

Question 9

third phase

Answer 9

Changing power balance again:
Mongols convert to Islam
Powerful and mighty new allies for local emirates
Expulsion of Frankish power:
Losses of key territories
Shrinking colonial centres
Broken supply lines
Siege of Acre 1292 (classic crusade ending)
Metamorphosis of crusade into other forms:
Albigensian
Baltic against pagan people
English barons’ war - civil war

Question 10

crusade encounters and outcomes

Answer 10

Latin Christians (Franks) and Islam
Franks and Byzantines
Byzantines and Seljuqs
Individual Frankish states and local muslim powers
Among Frankish states
Among Muslim powers (Fatimids, Seljuqs)
Franks, Muslims and Mongols

Outcomes:
Continuing and accelerating weakness of Byzantine Empire
Shifted balance of power among Islamic groups in Anatolia and Syria
More detailed understanding of Islam in West and Latin christianity in East
Some localised intercultural accomodation/appreciation
General increased inter-religious hostility (Christian/Islam and E/W Christianity)
Expansion of crusade mindset into other European conflicts and encounters

Question 11

narrative from readings

Answer 11

• 1080: ‘Antipope’ Clement III elected Pope in opposition to Pope Gregory VII.
• 1088: Pope Urban II elected Pope in Terracina (south of Rome).
• 1095: Pope Urban II’s address to the Council of Clermont in favour of a ‘crusade’.
• 1095-99: First Crusade.
• 1096: Massacre of Jews at Mainz by “Emico the wicked” and his army (referred to by Rabbi Solomon in 12th century as “Edomites”). Recorded by Albert of Aachen (Christian military violence in “vengeance” of Jesus against non-Christians in Europe, especially Jews).
• 1099: Pope Urban II dies.
• 1100: Antipope Clement III dies.
• 1107-1130: The version of the sermon used in the reading is written by Robert the Monk.
• 1100s: Rabbi Solomon bar Samson writes alternate account of 1096 Mainz massacre. Depicts “Edomite” Christian attackers as a violent, bloodthirsty army; whereas Jewish population described as ardent defenders of all ages, and then devout sacrifices (including killing family members, children etc.) in God’s name, by both average citizens and Rabbi, rather than being fodder for the Christian attack and dying in a way that contradicts beliefs. Solomon quotes verse and invokes famous martyred Rabbi.
• 1127: Village of Ma’arbuiyya gifted to Abu al-Fawaris Hamdan (son named the same as father) in return for providing medicine for Sir Manuel (nephew of the Prince of Antioch), the Frankish Lord of al-Atharib.
• Substantial conflict within West, Latin Christian Europe boiling over into religious violence (particularly antisemitic as “vengeance” for Jesus).