Description
Book SynopsisThis revisionist study unpacks the modern historiography of the Crusades, historically influenced by nationalist and colonialist discourses, and challenges current debates over the provenance of Crusader military architecture. It argues that Crusader castles should instead be regarded as the most evident visual expression of a cultural dialogue between east and west.
Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: 'A significant work of scholarship … bold and innovative, extremely well-written … At heart, Ellenblum has written a study which is a new historical perspective on the crusading era.' Professor Jill Claster, New York University
Review of the hardback: 'This … would be of interest to castle enthusiasts, cultural and other historians and those who seek answers to the region's problems in lessons from the past, but the text is easy to read and accessible to the lay reader.' CHS Newsletter
Table of ContentsPart I. National Discourse and the Study of the Crusades: 1. From moral failure to a source of pride; 2. The narrative of the Crusades and the nationalist discourse; 3. Nationalist discourse and Crusader archaeology; Part II. Crusader Studies Between Colonialist and Post-Colonialist Discourse: 4. Colonial and anti-colonial interpretations; 5. Who invented the concentric castles?; 6. 'Crusader cities,' 'Muslim cities,' and the post-Colonial debate; 7. Crusader castle and Crusader city: is it possible to differentiate between the two?; Part III. Geography of Fear and the Spatial Distribution of Frankish Castles: 8. Borders and their defence; 9. Borders, frontiers, and centres; 10. The geography of fear and the creation of the Frankish Frontier; 11. The distribution of Frankish Castles during the twelfth century; Part IV. The Castle as Dialogue between Siege Tactics and Defence Strategy: 12. Siege and defence of castles during the First Crusade; 13. Frankish siege tactics; 14. Development of Muslim siege tactics; 15. Sieges of the 1160s and 1170s and the appearance of the concentric castles; 16. The construction of a frontier castle: the case of Vadum Iacob; 17. The last years of the Latin kingdom: a new balance of power; Conclusion.
