Geography and economy

What you need to know - Geography and economy: Edessa, Tripoli, Antioch and the primacy of Jerusalem; the absence of natural boundaries to the east; the importance of the seaports for maintaining economic and military links with Europe; trade between Muslim and Christian cities; patterns of settlement and migration from Europe.

Consequences of the First Crusade

The major consequence of the First Crusade was the re-establishment of Christian rule over many parts of the Holy Land, including Edessa, Antioch, Tripoli and Jerusalem. Instead of returning the retrieved Byzantine land to the emperor, crusaders claimed the land and established crusader kingdoms. The Christian-controlled kingdoms were mostly populated by Byzantine, Syrian and a population of Muslims and Jews, plus the new Western settlers.

Map showing the crusader states, 1100-1300

Edessa, Tripoli, Antioch and the primacy of Jerusalem

The terms crusader states or kingdoms and Outremer are used to describe the feudal states established by the crusaders in the Levant as a result of the First Crusade. After crossing the Bosphorus with his men, Baldwin of Boulogne seized Edessa. Half of Edessa was located east of the Euphrates, with the Tigris serving as its border in the east. Compared to other Outremer, the County of Edessa was landlocked.

In terms of land size, Edessa was one of the largest of the four crusader states, but had the smallest population with about 10,000 people. Bordered by the Muslim cities of Aleppo, Mosul and the Jazira, Edessa remained under threat. By the time it was established, people were mostly Syriac, Armenian and Greek Orthodox, and Arab Muslims. Despite a relatively small Latin population, it was ruled by a Roman Catholic Patriarch.

The dry high plateau was suitable for raising sheep, horses, goats and cattle, while the hillsides were grown with olives, almonds and walnuts. Due to its geographical features, Edessa's revenue was mostly from agricultural products. Unlike other crusader states, pilgrim and Italian merchant traffic in Edessa was minimal.

Map of the County of Edessa, 1097-1144

Antioch

Founded by Bohemond of Taranto, the Principality of Antioch was one of the former Byzantine territories which the crusade leaders refused to return. It covered parts of present-day Turkey and Syria and was smaller than both the County of Edessa and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Unlike other crusader states, Antioch was predominantly Christian. By 1100, Tancred, who served as regent, expanded the borders of Antioch after capturing Tarsus and Latakia from the Byzantines. However, the tide turned in 1108 with Bohemond's defeat at the Battle of Dyrrhachium. Under the Treaty of Devol, Byzantine Emperor Alexius I made Antioch a vassal state.

Map showing the Principality of Antioch and its borders

Tripoli

Covering present-day northern Lebanon and western Syria, the County of Tripoli was the last of the crusader states. Founded by Bertrand of Toulouse in 1109, the County of Tripoli was a vassal state of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Like other crusader states, except Edessa, the County of Tripoli had coastline access. Its rich agricultural lands were divided into lordships. Estimates suggest that more than a quarter of the lands in Tripoli were given to the Genoese for their military aid. Under homage to the king, Baldwin I did not directly rule the County of Tripoli but provided military support in a time of Muslim agression.

The mountain range in the county served as its natural defensive border. Castle forts were built in the mountains in defence of Muslim attacks. In 1144, Raymond II awarded the Knights Hospitaller lands to help in defending Tripoli.

Map showing the County of Tripoli

The Kingdom of Jerusalem

Founded by Godfrey of Bouillon in 1099, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was located in the Southern Levant. Between 1099 and 1187, the First Kingdom of Jerusalem existed before it was captured by Saladin. In 1192, the Second Kingdom or the Kingdom of Acre was re-established. The kingdom was predominantly settled by the Franks. Located in present-day Israel, Palestine and southern region of Lebanon, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and Fatimid Egypt in the west. The majority of the kingdom's inhabitants were Greek and Syriac Orthodox Christians, and Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, while the crusaders were dominantly French.

Based on the accounts of chronicler Fulcher of Chartres, many immigrants to the Kingdom of Jerusalem thought of themselves as natives. Many of the Latin population adapted to the way of life of the kingdom.

For we who were Occidentals now have been made Orientals. He who was a Roman or Frank has in this land been made into a Galilean, or an inhabitant of Palestine. He who was of Rheims or Chartres has now become a citizen of Tyre or Antioch. We have already forgotten the places of our birth; already these are unknown to many of us or not mentioned any more. - Chronicler Fulcher of Chartres around 1124

*Map showing the Kingdom of Jerusalem and its borders *

The economy in Jerusalem

With the influence of growing Italian merchants in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, its economy was more commercial than agricultural. Jerusalem became the crossroads of the silk, cotton and spice trade. Goods from northern Europe reached Asia and vice versa through Jerusalem.

Those who ventured into agriculture, such as Genoans and Venetians, introduced the cultivation of sugarcane. Italian colonists used Arab and Syrian slaves on sugar plantations.

Revenues also came from tributes collected from captured coastal cities and neighbouring states. During the reign of Baldwin I, passing Muslim caravans from Syria or Egypt were required to pay tax (4 to 25% of the goods' value).

Jerusalem controlled the fiefdoms of Tyre, Acre, Nablus, Sidon and Caesarea. Acre became the most important trading port of all crusader states. Due to its geography, the kingdom was vulnerable to Muslim aggression. As a result, most revenues were used to build fortifications, castles and a well-equipped army. Despite minting their own gold and silver coinage, the huge expense in defending and maintaining the kingdom also resulted in a shortage of cash.

Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in a glass-stained window in the Broodhuis in Brussels

Trade between Muslim, Christian cities and Europe

Trade links between the Muslims and Christians did not begin with the Crusades. Even before the migration of crusaders, Muslims and Christians traded across the Mediterranean, particularly in Constantinople, Egypt and Syria. Traded goods included silk, glass, metal wares, dyes and perfumes.

The Crusades only boosted trade as Europeans became more familiar with exotic goods. One of the impacts of increased contact and trade was the rise of towns and cities in western Europe.

During the Crusades, Italian merchants from Genoa, Venice and Florence allied with crusader states and established good trade relations. Ports in the Levant such as Latakia, Acre, Alexandria, Damietta and Tripoli became vital to European - crusader states trade.

Map showing towns and trade routes in 1212

Patterns of settlement and migration from Europe

While other crusaders went home in 1099, a few hundred knights stayed with crusade leaders to secure the rule and establish settlements. Before the Second Crusade, immigration from Europe was minimal. Before the capture of Edessa in 1144, there were only four appeals to the West for another crusade (1101, 1106-08, 1120-24 and 1127-29). The failure of the crusaders in the siege of Damascus in 1148 further limited European immigrants.

Crusaders and Muslim traders

In the early years of the crusader states, there were no dominant noble families that became influential. Unlike in Europe, members of the nobility in crusader states did not live in manors houses or castles. They lived in fortified towns, while castles were used by knights and military orders. However, by the mid-12th century, immigration of European nobles to the crusader states changed the situation. A large, wealthy and influential baronial class emerged.

Classified as bourgeois, a large portion of the first immigrants were people from southern France who settled in modest towns in the Holy Land. From agriculturists, the majority became proprietors of small estates.

Image of crusaders led by Godfrey of Bouillon