Travel

During the Crusades, there were multiple routes taken by the Christian nations, in order to make a passage towards Jerusalem. These pathways were chosen based on safety, resources, territorial jurisdiction, and other notable factors to make the journey as efficient as possible. Therefore, there were a variety of different paths taken by nations involved in all the Crusades. Below, each Crusade’s resulting travels will be analyzed with its historical significance to Prester John’s letter.

The First Crusade:

The First Crusade was powered by roughly 30, 000 soldiers on foot and 10,000 on horseback. [1] Although the Mediterranean Sea could have served as a smooth passage towards the city of Jerusalem, the route was not taken as Christian nations did not control ports along the Middle East. [2] The on-foot passage was much longer, entailing travel from Western Europe all the way to the city, but it was the only viable option. Due to a large army and little supplies there was great suffering from lack of food and water. Provisions could be bought locally at a steep price few could afford, leaving many to die. Only about a quarter of the soldiers made the Journey as far as Constantinople. [3] This city fell, along with others, on their journey towards their final attack on Jerusalem.

The Second Crusade:

After the first crusade, Christian nations had footholds in cities such as Constantinople. This progress made travel easier because rations could be resupplied by their own nations along the way. [4] After Islamic nations had taken the city of Edessa, the subsequent attempt to take the city of Damascus resulted in the Battle of Hattin occurring not far from the Holy Land of Jerusalem. [5]

The Third Crusade:

After being pushed back, many more soldiers resorted to travelling on foot once more from Eastern Europe. This tactic encompassed being as close to the coast as possible to allow ally ships along the Mediterranean to drop off supplies. [6]

Significance:

The travel routes of the Christian armies were well thought out and vital for survival in times of the Crusades. As the letter of Prester John was written between the second and third Crusades, knowing travel routes allow the audience to further analyze geographic and historical conflict background and it’s implications on the author and potential readers of the letter. [7] As travel routes often came from the eastern side of Europe along the land to Jerusalem, it may have correlated with Prester John’s location which they deemed be in Abyssinia, or modern day Ethiopia. Creating a pincer like movement, there was a possibility this letter could be written to attack the Muslims in Jerusalem from both sides. Of course, speculation can only go so far as to explain why the letter was written.

Sources:

1. “The Crusades.” Saladin and Richard the Lionheart are two names that tend to dominate the Crusades. Accessed January 23, 2018. http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/interactive_learning/crucades2/Third_Crusade.htm.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. “What Were the Crusades and How Did They Impact Jerusalem?” Biblical Archaeology Society. October 25, 2017. Accessed January 23, 2018. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/jerusalem/what-were-the-crusades-and-how-did-they-impact-jerusalem/.

 

Written by: Tanner Delaney