Crusader Castles

The scholarship of crusader castles has progressed considerably from the early literature of E.G Rey and Hans Prutz. The earliest literature focused on what an observer most obviously considered when examining the remains of a castle, the remnants of high, thick walls used to defend against enemies. As this was the most apparent function of a castle, the theories that followed were based around the assumption that a castles only purpose was to defend against and enemy. That assumption, combined with pro-colonist views formed theories about the inherent ability of castles to defend the border of the crusader kingdoms against Muslim enemies. Later theories began to incorporate the difference of crusader castle as internal and external, but still

It was now assumed that although defense was a major influence, it was not always against an external enemy. Crusader castles were built to defend roads and passage ways and act as administrative centers and points and commerce for both Muslim and Christian people. The idea that castles formed a basis for a national defense was no longer valid as Smail argued that they were insufficient at stopping an enemy army and it was more efficient to use them as bases of operations. Afterwards, Joshua Prawer reargued that the strategic placement of crusader castles was the single most important factor determining the crusaders

I have attempted to argue the importance of crusader castles for the longevity and success of the crusades through the control and use of the landscape. With a few choice examples and primary documents I have pointed out that each crusader castle had an impactful relationship with its surroundings. I have also argued that each crusader castle was built for a variety of reasons other than for primarily defensive ones as many of the first crusader scholars had suggested. Saphet castle’s unique documentation allows us to understand the many political and economic factors that influenced the decision to build castle. The building of Saphet had widespread impacts on all manners of life that affected both the Franks and Muslims of the local region. The construction of one castle changed the political atmosphere between Acre and Damascus while improving the livelihood and agricultural land of the local Frankish people, and at the same time diminishing the territory of Damascus. Saphet castle like the many others I have mentioned played a more influential role because of its existence in the landscape and the sphere of influence that it