Crusading Warfare

Exploring the Military History of the Crusades

William James Hamblin
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Green text boxes are my
analysis, notes, commentary,
and explanations.
 Edessa Campaign 3:
Baldwin’s March to Edessa
AD 1098/02
Philippopolis
Varna
Strategic Situation: Edessa Expedition 1098/02
Ardas a
Preslav Sinope Kur

Adrianople

Constantinople
Primary Sources: Rodosto Trebizond
Edessa Expedition
is
Nicomedia ps

ios
am

gar
Western Civetot Iris Ac
Neocaesarea

San
Albert 3.17-25 Yesil h Aras
s Amasya irma Coru
→William 4.1-6 ni cu Cyzicus Nicaea k
Sebenkarahisar
Caffaro — ra Theodosopolis
Abydos G Tokat Teleboas
Sank 1

dacus
Canso — arya

u)
Erzincan 2

S
Ekkehard — Sebastea

at
)
a Su

ur
Rhyn
Ankyra (K ar
Divrigi

(M
Fulcher 1.14
→Bartolf — Dorylaeum
→Malmesbury — 2- Old Armenian homeland,
Pergamum Amorium ak 3- Zone of refugee and now ruled by the Turks Akhlat
Gesta — li rm nias
Ha
lys izi mercenary Armenian Arsa
→Baldric — diz K
He Ge principalities
rm
→Orderic 9.11=119-29 us Philomelium 1- Route of the Melitene
Smyrna
→Guibert 3.14=70-72 First Crusade Comana
→Peter — Antioch Caesarea
→Robert —
k
yu

3
Gilo — Meander Iconium
Bu

han
Letters — Coxon Diyarbakir
1 n

Sey
Laodicea ha
Ralph — y

Ti
Cilician Gates Ce

g
ris
Raymond — Marash
Heraclea
William 4.1-6 ←Albert

s
Saru
Adana mus
ra 4 Edessa
Py 1
Eastern Christian
Anna — Attalia Mosul
Goksu Tarsis Belen Pass
Mathew 2.117-8=168-70 Rhodes Cal
yca 4- Baldwin’s
Michael —
dnu
s Antioch Edessa expedition
→Bar Hebraeus —
Studies Seleucia Euphr
Syriac 70-1 St Simeon Aleppo ates

Zab
Amouroux-Mourad, M. Le

ater
Comté d'Edesse, 1098-1150 Raqqa
Muslim

Gre
(1988). Latakia Rahba
AHC —
Asbridge 149-52
Ibn al-Athir —
France 195 Nicosia
Ibn al-Qalanisi {a490} — Hama
Frankopan 151-3
Kamal al-Din —
Rubenstein 161-167
Maqrizi {a490} — Paphos Homs
Runciman 1:201-12
Sibt {a490} — Tripoli
CE 2:379-85
 Vahka ♜ Gerger
Behesni 1098/01
Constantine {??}
Rupenids uk
ald
BSamosata
Constantine Marash ♜
3a- {1098/01}
{1095-1102} Pardzerpert ♜ [Albert 3.19a]
Kaysun
Marash Hearing of the victories and military prowess of Baldwin,
Thoros, Armenian prince of Edessa, sends and embassy to
Sis Thatoul Baldwin because “he was unable to defend himself against
{1087-1104} Keysun Raban the Turks”
Kogh Vasil [Fulcher 1.14.6]
Thoros promised both a share of the revenue of the city
{1087?-1112} ♜
Marzban Edessa (Albert 3.19), and to make Baldwin his heir (Fulcher 1.14.6).
♜
Qalat al-Rum Thoros
3
♜ Duluk {1094-1098}
Sarvantikar 2- {1098/01} ♜ Edessa
[Albert 3.18d] 4
Having established Aintab
control of
the region, Baldwin winters his
Bira
army at Turbessel. Saruj
♜

2 alak
s

Ravendel
B
Mt

♜ Haran
♜
s

Ba
aeu

Turbessel Jerablus
Am

Cyrrhus
Ayas 4- {1098/01}
[William 4.2b-c]
“The [Armenians of the countryside were under the yoke
Azaz
Aleppo of the infidel [Turks] to this extent, that they were
Alexandretta Yaghra
Darbsak
Mashhala (Ridwan) Mosul
obliged to pay an annual tribute and tax.”
“the enemy [Turks] had long ago seized all the
♜ {1095-1113} Manbij ♜
Qalat al-Najm surrounding region, (Kerbogha)
Edessa had not been subjugated.
Syrian
Gates
Ma’ratah … But those living {1095-1102}
in the neighboring towns and
Russole
♜ Tall Qabasin fortresses caused the people of Edessa great
Baghras annoyance, for they would not permit the citizens to
Antioch Mamulah al-Bab
Buza’a leave the city or to carry on business outside.
(Yaghi-Siyan) Artah Bir
Tall Aghdi
{1086-1098}
✝ ‘Imm ♜ Hisn al-Dayr
Antioch Harim Balat Aleppo
Daphne 1 Sarmada Atharib
♜
St Simeon 1- Qusayr
{1097/10/21-/1098/06/03} Kafr Nasih
Crusaders continue their
siege of Antioch
 Vahka ♜ Gerger
Behesni 1098/01-02
Constantine {??}
Rupenids uk
ald
BSamosata
Constantine Marash ♜
{1095-1102} Pardzerpert ♜ Kaysun
Marash
Sis Thatoul
{1087-1104} Keysun Raban

Kogh Vasil
{1087?-1112} ♜
Marzban Edessa
♜
Qalat al-Rum Thoros
♜ Duluk {1094-1098}
Sarvantikar ♜ Edessa

Aintab
Bira
Saruj
♜

alak
s

Ravendel
B
Mt

♜ Haran
♜
s

Ba Size of Baldwin’s Army

aeu

Turbessel Jerablus
Am

Cyrrhus Baldwin’s army on his march to Turbessel

Ayas • Albert 3.17a. “700 cavalry (equites)” leave the main army; no
infantry mentioned

Azaz
Aleppo • Fulcher 1.14.4. “Baldwin collected a few knights”
• Matthew of Edessa 2.117. Baldwin had 100 horsemen in his initial
Alexandretta Yaghra
Darbsak
Mashhala (Ridwan) army Mosul
♜ {1095-1113} • Manbij ♜
William 4.1b. Baldwin was “accompanied by two hundred
knights and notal-Najm
Qalat a few people on foot” (Kerbogha)
Syrian
Gates
Ma’ratah {1095-1102}
• William 4.1d. The Armenians “furnished [Baldwin] with troops”
Russole
♜ Tall Qabasin
Baghras Baldwin’s army on his march to Edessa
Antioch Mamulah al-Bab
Buza’a • Albert 3.19b. “200 cavalry (equites) [march to Edessa]; the rest of
(Yaghi-Siyan) Artah Bir the army was divided and left at Turbessel, Ravendel, and in many
{1086-1098} Tall Aghdi places which, now that the Turks were driven off”
✝ ‘Imm ♜ Hisn al-Dayr
• Fulcher 1.14.7. Baldwin had 80 knights (milites); no infantry
mentioned.
Antioch Harim Balat Aleppo
• Matthew of Edessa 2.117. Baldwin took only 60 horsemen to
Daphne 1 Sarmada Atharib
♜ Edessa; no infantry mentioned [I don’t know the Armenian
St Simeon 1- Qusayr
{1097/10/21-/1098/06/03} Kafr Nasih technical terms.]
Crusaders continue their • William 4.23. Baldwin had 80 horsemen [equitibus]
siege of Antioch
 Vahka ♜ Gerger
Behesni 1098/02/early
Constantine {??}
Rupenids uk
ald
BSamosata
Constantine Marash ♜
{1095-1102} Pardzerpert ♜ Kaysun
Marash
Sis Thatoul
{1087-1104} Keysun Raban

Kogh Vasil
{1087?-1112} ♜
Marzban Edessa
♜
Qalat al-Rum Thoros
♜ Duluk {1094-1098}
Sarvantikar ♜ Edessa
4- {1098/02/early}
Unable to cross the Euphrates in the
Aintab
face of Turkish troops, Baldwin
returns to Turbessel for a few days. Bira 3
Saruj
♜
4
2 alak
s

Ravendel
B
Mt

♜ Haran
♜
s

Ba 3a- Turkish warriors (probably from

aeu

Turbessel Jerablus
Balak of Saruj) are raiding near Bira
Am

and prevent Baldwin’s crossing of the

Cyrrhus 2- {1098/02/early}
Ayas Euphrates. [Albert 19c]
[Albert 3.19c]
Baldwin advances with 200 cavalry

Azaz
Aleppo
to the Euphrates crossing at Bira. 3b- [Albert 19c]
[The Turks] had many as twenty
Alexandretta Yaghra
Darbsak
Mashhala (Ridwan) Mosul
thousand there, obstructing [Baldwin’s]
♜ {1095-1113} Manbij ♜ way as he wanted to cross [the (Kerbogha)
Qalat al-Najm
Syrian
Ma’ratah
Euphrates]. But when he found{1095-1102}
out their
Gates
Russole strength and their cavalry, and as he was
♜ Tall Qabasin
Baghras
not strong enough now to meet and
Antioch Mamulah al-Bab
Buza’a
overcome so many thousands.
(Yaghi-Siyan) Artah Bir
{1086-1098} Tall Aghdi 3c- This number is clearly exaggerated.
✝ ‘Imm ♜ Hisn al-Dayr Matthew of Edessa [2.117b] says that
Balduk was able to muster only 300
Antioch Harim Balat Aleppo
Daphne 1 Sarmada Atharib horsemen for a sortie from Samosata
♜ when the city was besieged by the
St Simeon 1- Qusayr
{1097/10/21-/1098/06/03} Kafr Nasih Crusaders and Armenians.
Crusaders continue their
siege of Antioch
0 100 m 200 m 300 m
5
1098/02/early
5- Medieval road to
Edessa (c. 80 km)

Ba

Medieval
2- Citadel of al-Bira 1
(Birecik Kalesi) al-Bira
2 ♜

6
1- The exact size of
medieval Bira is uncertain.

3b- There were no bridges across the

3- Ferry across the
Euphrates. Euphrates until 1912 train bridge at
3 Karkamiş. All crossings were by ferry.
6- North of al-Bira the Euphrates largely
enters a gorge, making access to the river
difficult until Qalat al-Rum. Thus, the Bira
crossing was strategic during the crusades.

Ba

4- Road to Aitab (c. 65 km) and

Turbessel (c. 50 km)

4
 Vahka ♜ Gerger
Behesni 1098/02/09-11
Constantine {??}
Rupenids uk
ald
BSamosata
Constantine Marash ♜
{1095-1102} Pardzerpert ♜ Kaysun
Marash
Sis Thatoul
{1087-1104} Keysun Raban

Kogh Vasil
{1087?-1112} ♜
Marzban Edessa
♜
Qalat al-Rum Thoros
♜ Duluk {1094-1098}
Sarvantikar
2- {1098/02/09-11}
♜ Edessa
[Albert 3.19d]
Baldwin makes a second successful
Aintab
attempt to cross the Euphrates at
Bira. Bira
Saruj
♜

2 alak
s

Ravendel
B
Mt

♜ Haran
♜
s

Ba
aeu

Turbessel Jerablus
Am

Cyrrhus
Ayas

Azaz
Aleppo
Alexandretta Yaghra
Darbsak
Mashhala (Ridwan) Mosul
♜ {1095-1113} Manbij ♜
Qalat al-Najm (Kerbogha)
Syrian
Gates
Ma’ratah {1095-1102}
Russole
♜ Tall Qabasin
Baghras
Antioch Mamulah al-Bab
Buza’a
(Yaghi-Siyan) Artah Bir
Tall Aghdi
{1086-1098}
✝ ‘Imm ♜ Hisn al-Dayr
Antioch Harim Balat Aleppo
Daphne 1 Sarmada Atharib
♜
St Simeon 1- Qusayr
{1097/10/21-/1098/06/03} Kafr Nasih
Crusaders continue their
siege of Antioch
0 5 10 k
1098/02/09-11

Samosata ♜
Kaysun
Balduk

Raban
2

2- {1098/02/early}
[Fulcher 1.14.8]
When the Turks who were in the fortified
town of Samosata heard this, they set
ambushes for us on the way through
which they thought we would go.
♜ Bad
Qalat al-Rum

4- The Battle of the Three

“Bals”? = Baldwin,
Balduk, and Balak. Edessa

3- {1098/02/early}
1- {1098/02/09-11} Although not mentioned explicitly, it is
[Albert 3.19d] 4 possible that Balak’s Turkmens from
Aintab
Baldwin makes a second successful Saruj may also have been raiding the
attempt to cross the Euphrates at ♜ Bal
area. I’m assuming Balak’s men also
Bira
Bira. 3 participated in the raid.
Ba Saruj
♜
1
Balak

♜ Haran
Turbessel

Jerablus
0 5 10 k
1098/02/12-14

Samosata ♜

Balduk

Raban

♜
Qalat al-Rum

1a- {1098/02/12-14}
[Fulcher 1.14.8b] Edessa
But on the following night a certain Armenian
carefully sheltered us in his castle. He warned
us to guard against these snares of the enemy,
and for this reason we hid there for two days Ba Bad
Aintab 1

♜ Bal
Bira
1b- Fulcher, an eyewitness, does not name the town
Saruj
nor Armenian baron. I am unaware of another ♜
major castle on the route from Bira to Edessa, so I
am assuming Baldwin stayed at al-Bira.
Balak

♜ Haran
Turbessel

Jerablus
0 25m 50m Citadel of al-Bira (Birecik Kalesi) 1098/02
0 5 10 k
1098/02/15

Samosata ♜

Balduk

Raban

♜
Qalat al-Rum 1a- {1098/02/15}
[Fulcher 1.14.9]
But on the third day the Turks, irked by such 1b- The Turks raid the
delay, rushed down upon us from their place of agricultural land of Bira in an
hiding and with flags flying galloped in front of attempt to force the crusaders
the castle in which we were located and before out of the castle. Edessa
our eyes drove off as plunder the livestock
which they found in the pastures.

1 Bad
3 3- Turks withdraw with their
Aintab
Ba plundered livestock. The Turks were
⚔
Bal involved in opportunistic raiding
♜
Bira 2 rather than an offensive campaign.
2- {1098/02/15} Saruj
[Fulcher 1.14.10] ♜
We went out [of the castle] against them, but
because we were few we were unable to Balak
contend with them. They shot arrows but
wounded none of us. However, they left one of
♜ their men, killed by a lance, on the field. His Haran
Turbessel horse was kept by the man who unseated him.
Then the enemy left, but we remained there.
Jerablus
0 5 10 k
1098/02/16-20

Samosata ♜

Balduk

Raban

♜
Qalat al-Rum 1- {1098/02/16-20}
[Albert 3.19d; Fulcher 1.14.11-12]
After the departure of the Turkish raiders,
Baldwin continues his march to Edessa, arriving
at Edessa without further incident; Armenian
villagers welcome the crusaders as liberators. Edessa

Aintab Ba
♜
Bira
Saruj
♜

Balak

♜ Haran
Turbessel

Jerablus
 Crusading Warfare
Next = Edessa 4: Baldwin’s Coup

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