Latin Siege Warfare in the Telfth Century [Paperback]

This is a carefully researched and illuminating study of siege warfare in the twelfth century. The siege was an integral part of medieval military experience, and was particularly significant in the Mediterranean region. Rogers explores siege warfare and the role it played in the First Crusade and the establishment of the Crusader States, in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and in the seaborne expeditions of the Italian maritime states. Rogers sets out to discover how it was that crusading forces handicapped by rudimentary organization and logistical support were able to conduct some of the most dramatic siege operations of the pre-gunpowder period. He traces the development and diffusion of techniques and analyzes the experience of siege warfare in every aspect, from the question of supplies of component parts for siege engines to the often complex political situations of besieger and besieged. This is a book which contributes not only to the military history of the twelfth century but also to its political and cultural history.

List of figures
List of maps
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Latin siege warfare in the First Crusade
3. The capture of the Palestinian Coast and the development of crusade siege technique
4. Siege operations in the establishment of Norman authority in Italy and Sicily
5. Cities and siege warfare: Lombardy in the twelfth century
6. Seaborne siege warfare: The Italian Maritime States and Latin expansion
7. Towards conclusions
Appendix I: Crusader siege towers
Appendix II: Siege engines: general descriptions and terms
Appendix III. The problem of artillery
Bibliography
Index

An excellent book...Rogers's analysis is first-rate. --American Historical Review

Unquestionably this work provides an important contribution to military history. --Speculum

[A] fine study, full of intriguing ideas for readers interested in crusading, municipalities, and the role l³4