Warfare in the Latin East, 1192–1291

A unique examination of the precise weaknesses of the crusader states in the thirteenth century.

Christopher Marshall (Author)

9780521477420, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 October 1994

308 pages, 16 b/w illus.
21.6 x 13.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.337 kg

'Christopher Marshall proves a worthy successor to Smail. He pinpoints … the precise weaknesses of the crusader states in the thirteenth century.' History Today

This book offers a detailed examination of warfare in the Latin East from the end of the Third Crusade, to the demise of the Latin Kingdom in 1291. It considers both the crusades and the long periods of truce during which warfare was restricted to raiding expeditions and conflict among the Christians themselves. A study of the organisation of the Latin armies is followed by an examination of the structures and functions of the strongpoints, with differentiation between armed conflict, battles, raids and sieges. Marshall depicts raiding expeditions as a vital factor in the Muslims' efforts to remove Latins from the East, and concludes with a brief study of the work of scouts, spies and traitors in the Muslim and Latin armies.

Introduction: the study of warfare in the Latin East
1. Warfare and the history of the Latin East, 1192–1291
2. The Latin armies
3. Castles and strongpoints
4. Battles
5. Raiding expeditions
6. Sieges
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]