Chapter 2 - The Latin Armies

Summary

INTRODUCTION

A contemporary writer who described the fall of Acre in 1291 stated that there were 700—800 mounted troops and 14,000 footsoldiers defending the city. This army was extraordinarily diverse. In the final stages of the Muslim assault, the brother knights of the Military Orders fought alongside poorly armed pilgrims; mercenary troops serving only for pay joined with the feudatories and townspeople who defended their properties and their very existence. The effort was in vain. The Christians of the Latin East had failed to gather an army capable of repulsing their Muslim enemies. It was a problem which had beset the Latins throughout this period and they were therefore restricted, in their defensive strategy, to garrisoning their strongpoints, since they were unable to raise an adequate field army at the same time to protect their lands.

The Christian army could be recruited from many different sources. The feudal levy and the troops of the Military Orders provided most of the kingdom’s own army. Support was also provided by soldiers from Cyprus. These basic elements were augmented by troops from western Europe. The crusades produced a short-term increase in the size of the Latin armies, but their achievements were not always of long-term value for the Latin East. Organisations such as the confraternities could provide additional numbers, primarily from visitors to the Holy Land. Throughout the century the arrival of individuals and small groups of crusaders offered a further means by which the Latins could increase the number of troops they had available. This could also be achieved by using mercenaries and other paid soldiers, either recruited by the Latins or provided for them by western rulers, such as the French kings or the papacy.

MEMBERS OF THE ARMY

Knights and sergeants

The quality of troops used by Christian armies in the Latin East varied considerably. Crusade expeditions probably continued to attract a popular element which would have been of little use as a fighting force. At the other extreme were the mounted soldiers who used their fiefs, or the payments they received, to maintain both themselves and their retinues.