Naval Power Sources For The Crusades On The Islamic East (590AH / 1096 AD - 648 AH / 1250 AD)

Abstract

The study aims to identify the naval power sources of the Crusades against the Islamic East Crusades represented by the types of ships, weapons, siege requirements, supplies, and naval combat requirements. To achieve the research objectives, the analytical approach is adopted in studying the sources of the naval power of the Crusades by tracing the routes of these campaigns and clarifying the impact of these sources on the results of the campaigns in the Islamic East and the consequent impact of these sources on the political, military, and economic decision of those campaigns.

The findings indicate that the sources of naval power for the Crusades are ships, siege machines, food and supplies, guidance, donations, granting indulgences, and imposing taxes. The results also show that the religious establishment, including the Pope, the Italian commercial cities, and the islands of the Mediterranean Sea are tools for those sources, as it provides its services in a manner that achieves its interests and privileges. Against these findings, the research recommends reconsidering the economic history of the Crusades against the Islamic East, rereading the course of those campaigns by land and sea, and examining the means of support and services received by these campaigns. The study consists of appendices demonstrating the routes of the crusades' naval campaigns in the Islamic East.