Crusading Warfare

Exploring the Military History of the Crusades

William James Hamblin
 Hints
1- Watch at high resolution
2- pause to read text panels
3- download pdf of maps
Battle of Dorylaeum
3- Opposing Armies
1 July 1097
0 5 10 k
The March to the Plains of Dorylaeum 1097/06/25-30
Primary Sources
Note
Albert 2.38-43
This map summarizes my
Anna 10.3b-c
Nicaea interpretations of crusaders
Fulcher 1.11-12
routes of march discussed in
Gesta 2/9=18-21
Battle of Dorylaeum 2- March
Gilo 4.151-345
to Dorylaeum.
Ibn al-Qalanisi {a490} 134 =L-635+
Bridge at
Leucae/Leukas Letters 2 (EH6), 3 (EH7)
1- Crusader route of Ralph 19-33
march together Raymond 5=27-29
1 Robert 7-15
William 3.13-15

2- Crusaders divide into Studies

two division Asbridge 133-137
2 France 169-185
Frankopan 147-149
3- Route of march of Rubenstein 128-133
Bohemonds division. Runciman 183-187
Smail 168-169
4- Route of march of
3
Hughs/Godfreys 4
division.

(Bozuyuk) Bo
Go 5- {30 June}
Qilich Arslans camp

5
Sari
Qi
su
ayi
Dorylaeum
0 2.5 5 km
Battlefield of Dorylaeum 1097/06/30

(Sogut)

7- {30 June}
Godfreys and Hughs camp

(Bozuyuk) 7
6- {30 June}
Go Bohemonds camp
(Poyra)

9
9a- Distance between the two camps: 6
eight miles (milibus octo) [Gilo 4.191] Bo
two miles (duobus miliaribus) [William 3.13c]
two miles (duo miliario) [Raymond 5a=27]

9b- Note
Latin milibus = thousand [steps] is probably
closer to a modern kilometer than a modern mile. Dorylaeum
Medieval distance terminology was often (Eskisehir)
imprecise, and varied between regions of Europe. Qi
A two mile distance between the camps is
inconsistent both with the time it takes for 8
reinforcements to arrive, and the lack of 8- {30 June}
knowledge of Godfreys division (and presumed Qilich Arslans camp
scouts) of the ongoing battle.
0 1000 m 2000 m
Bohemond Camps on the Plains of Dorylaeum 1097/06/30
4 2- Note
The wadis (creeks) 4- Mountains
flowing into the Sarisu 4 [Robert 9; Gesta 3/9d=19; Gilo
ayi River (medieval
2 4.243-252; Fulcher 1.12.3-4]
Bathys) were probably
largely dry in July
6b- Godfreys Camp
[William 3.13c]
All the other leaders [of Godfreys 2 5- Bohemonds Camp
divsion] kept to the right [road] [Fulcher 1.11.2-3]
(Poyra)
Here, too, there was good pasturage Therefore that night we had our tents protected on all sides by
and a water supply. watchmen. we pitched our tents near a marsh.
[Albert 2.38b]
finding quarters where he might pitch camp, and his companions, who
6a- {30 June} 6c- This means Godfrey is spread out all around on the grass, might attend to the needs of their
Godfreys division is a few camping somewhere in the bodies with food and other supplies in suitable streams and meadows.
miles west, off map. plains of Dorylaeum, and not up [William 3.13b + 3.13d]
in the hills to the north following Here, about the ninth hour, they made camp by the bank of a running
the route Bohemond took.
6 stream [Bathys/Sarisu ayi], where they had the advantage of pasturage
5 and grass. They surrounded the camp with guards and, although
somewhat anxious in mind, passed a quiet night.

u ayi Bathys R
Saris ive r
1 Bathys R
ive r
(ukurhisar)

7- {30 June}
1 Qilich Arslans camp; it may
(Inonu)
3 (Oklubali) have been further east where
1- Note Sa
ris
u the plains are broader, and there
The exact path of the Sarisu ayi 3- Marsh
a
yi
is more water for their horses.
River (medieval Bathys) has [Fulcher 1.11.2-3]
changed through time, and has we pitched our tents near a marsh.
been partly canalized in modern [There were probably several marshy
times for irrigation. spots along the river.] 7
Qi
2
4 4
0 1000 m 2000 m
Turkish Scouts and Skirmishers 1097/06/30

9b- Turkish Scouts and Skirmishers

[Ibn al-Qalanisi {a490} 134=L-645-646] [Qilich Arslan]
marched out to the fords, tracks, and roads by which the Franks
must pass, and showed no mercy to all of them who fell into his
hands.
[William 3.13c] 10- Turks Planning an Ambush
His scouts kept him constantly informed about the movements [Fulcher 1.11.1-2]
of the advancing host, and he waited eagerly for a(Poyra)
fitting It was reported to us that the Turks had
opportunity to fall upon them. laid a trap for us in the plains through
[Ralph 21a] which they thought we would have to pass
[In the] afternoon [on June 30] the battle lines of the Latins and that there they expected to do battle.
and barbarians began their mutual attack [of skirmishers] [William 3.13c]
[Qilich Arslans] scouts kept him constantly
informed about the movements of the
advancing host, and he waited eagerly for a
fitting opportunity to fall upon them.

u ayi Bathys R
Saris ive r (ukurhisar)
Bathys R
ive r
8- {1 July}
10 Qilich Arslans camp; it may
(Inonu) (Oklubali) have been further east where
Sa
ris
u a
the plains are broader, and there
yi
is more water for their horses.

9a- {30 June, later afternoon} 8

Skirmishing with Turkish scouts 9
shadowing crusaders Qi
0 1000 m 2000 m
1a- Number of Crusaders
[Letter 2 (Symeon) (HE 6)]
We comprise 100,000 mounted
knights and men in armour. But that
is but few in comparison with the
horde of pagan [Turks].
1b-Crusader Troop types
[Fulcher 1.11.4]
we had both footmen and bowmen
[William 3.13f]
Our forces, on the other hand, as has
been said, consisted of a mixed host of
both cavalry and infantry.
Crusader Army 1: Order of Battle
1a- Note
As with almost all figures given by medieval
sources, the figure of 100,000 armored
crusaders is greatly exaggerated. However,
the text knights and men in armor does
imply the some of the crusader infantry were
also armored.
(Poyra)
1097/06/30
2 Crusader Order of Battle
[Gesta 3/9e=20]
Our line of battle formed up at once. On the left wing were the
valiant Bohemond, Robert the Norman [Stephen of Blois], the
gallant Tancred, Robert of Anse and Richard of the Principality.
[Raymond 5a=27]
While he formed his battle ranks according to circumstance and
made ready for the fight, he lost many stragglers

1c- Relative size of crusader divisions 2

[Letter 3d (Anselm) (HE7)]
a small part of our army Bo
[Bohemonds division] was attacked by 1
the Turks Godfreys was the RN
larger part of the army
[William 3.13c] SB
ayi Bathys R
the section which was apparentlySa ri s u ive r (ukurhisar)
Bathys R
weaker in strength iandver numbers was
Ta
quite near him [Qilich Arslan].
(Inonu) (Oklubali)
Sa
ris
u a
yi

Qi
0 1000 m 2000 m
Crusader Army 2: Numbers 1097/06/30
3- Note on numbers.
Most the numbers for combatants given in the crusader sources
indeed most medieval sourcesare exaggerations or hyperbole. 3- Number of Crusaders
There was generally no way for the crusaders to determine the size
of the armies in this period. Modern scholars use various methods [Letter 2 (Symeon) (HE 6)]
to estimate medieval armies. We comprise 100,000 mounted knights and
men in armour. [Meaning in both divisions]
Using such methods, France (Victory in the East, 122-142)
concludes that the crusader army that left Nicaea was about 50,000 [Ibn al-Qalanisi {a490} 134=L-635]
(including 7000 knights = c. 15%), including non-combatants. [Franks had] forces not to be reckoned for
(Poyra)
Since the division of Bohemond was smaller than that of Hugh/ multitude.
Godfrey [Letter 3d (Anselm) (HE7); William 3.13c], it seems
likely that Bohemonds division was around 20,000, and Godfreys
30,000.

Based on Frances estimates, I would estimate the crusader army

size at Dorylaeum as follows:

Division 1: Bohemond Bo
Grand Total = 20,000 3
(non-combatants = 5000 = 25%) RN
Total combatants = 15,000 (75% of grand total)
knights = 3000 (20%) SB
infantry = 9,000 (60%) ri s u ayi Bathys R
Sa ive r (ukurhisar)
archers/crossbowmen
Bathys R
iver 3000 (20%)
Ta
Division 2: Godfrey and Hugh
(Inonu) (Oklubali)
Grand Total = 30,000 Sa
ris
(non-combatants = 7500 = 25%) u a
yi
Total Combatants = 22,500 (75% of grand total)
knights = 4500 (20%)
infantry = 13,500 (60%)
archers/crossbowmen = 4500 (20%)
Qi
Note: the percentage of archers and crossbowmen may have been
higher in the crusader army, but they are not mentioned frequently
in the sources, and dont appear to be very effective or decisive.
0 1000 m 2000 m
1a- Composition of Turkish Army
[Fulcher 1.11.4]
There were the Turks, those pagan
Persians whose amir and prince was
that Soliman [= Qilich Arslan ibn (son
of) Sulayman (=Solomon)] who had
held the city of Nicaea and the country
of Romania in his power. 6 They had
at Soliman's command collected about
him, having come to his aid for a
distance of more than thirty days.
There were present with him many
amirs or princes, viz.,
Amircaradigum, Miriathos, and
many others.
1b-Composition of Turkish Army
[Gesta 3/9f=20]
the Turks, Arabs, Saracens, Agulani Arabic term meaning commander, sometimes prince or
Turks, Persians, Paulicians
[publicani], Saracens and Agulani,
with other pagans, not counting the
Saris
Arabs, Bathys R
iver
[Albert 2.39a]
[Qilich Arslan] had brought together
assistance and forces from(Inonu)
Antioch,
Tarsus, Aleppo, and the other cities of =
Rum which were occupied here and
there by Turks
Turkish Army 1: Composition 1097/06/30
1c- Notes 2a- Composition of Turkish Army 2b- Notes
Turks: An ethnic/language group [Ibn al-Qalanisi {a490} 134=L-640-45] Turkmen = General term in the Middle
pagans: Some of the Turks were probably still The king, [Qilish Arslan] Daud b. Sulaiman Eastern sources referring to Turkish
technically pagan, or quasi-pagan, but they had converted b. Qutulmish, whose dominions lay nearest to nomads. There were sedentary Turks in
to Islam some three or four generations ago. In crusader [the crusaders], having received confirmation Central Asia. The Turks in the Middle
terminology, however, pagan means non-Christian, rather of these statements, set about collecting East generally referred to Turkish military
than polytheistic. forces, raising levies, and carrying out the aristocracy and rulers who were
Persians: The Turks had migrated from Persia into obligation of Holy War [jihad]. He also sedentarized.
Anatolia (which the crusaders call Romania). Hence summoned as many of the Turkmens [= The term Turkic generally refers to
they are sometimes called Persians.
(Poyra) Turkish nomads] as he could to give him ethnic groups which speak Turkic
Soliman: Arabic Sulayman = Solomon. The crusaders assistance and support against them, and a languages and dialects.
consistently call Qilich Arslan Soliman because he is large number of them joined him along https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Ibn [son of] Sulyman with the askar of his brother. Turkic_peoples
Romania: The land of the Romans. Byzantines called
themselves Romans. Romania in early crusader sources
generally refers to Anatolia (= modern Turkey). The Turks
called Romania Rum. Hence the Rum Seljuqs are
the Seljuqs of Romania.
Bo
amir: Amir [sometimes emir in English] is an
military commander; equivalent of bey/beg in Turkish RN
Amircaradigum: Perhaps Amir Kara Dogan? =
u
Prince
ayi Black Hawk; traditional Turkish names were often SB Bathys R
iver
based on animals and weapons. (Qilich Arslan = Sword (ukurhisar)
Lion). Ta
Miriathos: (A)mir Iathos = perhaps Amir Atsiz?
Agulani = (singular) al-Gulm or (plural) al-Gilmn
(Oklubali)
slave soldiers Sa
ris
u
Paulicians [publicani], were a dualist Christian sect, ay
i
considered heretics and persecuted by the Orthodox church. 2
Here, the Gesta probably simply means that the Turkish
army included Christian heretics, or renegades.
Antioch, Tarsus, Aleppo. The Rum Seljuqs had no power Qi
in Syria; it is unlikely any Syrian Turks were in their army.
This is likely hyperbole, meaning there were Turkish
soldiers from everywhere. 1
0 1000 m 2000 m
Turkish Army 2: Numbers 1097/06/30
3a- Crusader estimate of the number 3b- Size of Turkish Army 4- Qilich Arslans Army at Civitot
of Turks All of the figures given by the crusader
[Albert 1.17a]
sources as wild exaggerations, by at least 10-20
[Gesta 3/9f=20] times. [Qilich Arslan] assembled 15,000
Countless Albert says the Turkish army numbered Turks from all Rum and the kingdom
[William 3.13c]
4
15,000 at the battle of Civitot. (2) of Khurasan, men of war who were
God alone knows how many there Scholars estimate that the Rum Turkish army very experienced with the horn and
were of them. numbered between 10-20,000. bone bow and were very mobile
[Fulcher 1.11.4; Gesta 3/9f=20] Qilich Arslans army at Dorylaeum probably archers.
countless host of Turks (Poyra)
numbered from 15-20,000, making it roughly
360,000 equal to Bohemonds division, but was
[Robert 8; Gilo 4.166] probably 40% of the entire crusader force.
300,000
[Letter 3e (Anselm) (HE7)]
260,000
[William 3.13f]
200,000
[Raymond 5a=27] Bo
150,000
RN

i SB
ay Bathys R
Sarisu ive r
Bathys R (ukurhisar)
ive r
Ta

(Inonu) (Oklubali)
Sa
ris
u a
yi

3 Qi
0 1000 m 2000 m
Turkish Army 3: Tactics 1097/06/30
5a- Turks all Mounts Archers 5c- Notes 6- Fighting Qualities of the Turkish Army
[Fulcher 1.11.4] common stock with the Franks = either the Turks are thinking of [Gesta 3/9g=21]
[The Turks were] bowmen, for it was the Turkic peoples of eastern Europe, such as the Pechenegs and The skill and prowess and courage of the Turks,
their custom to be armed in that Cumans, or they are establishing a fictional genealogical relationship who thought that they would strike terror into the
manner. All were mounted. with the Franks, as was often done between nomadic tribes. Franks, as they had done into the Arabs and
[William 3.13f] Turkish cavalry lancers = Askar = (( ) askr, askir) Saracens, Armenians, Syrians and Greeks, by the
only cavalry was to be seen. Arabic for army, referring during the crusades to the personal menace of their arrows? Yet, please God, their
professional household troops of Turkish and Arabic warlords. Many, men will never be as good as ours. They have a
5b- Turkish Askar = heavy but not all, were mamluks/ghulams. They were heavily armored and saying that they are of common stock with the
cavalry archers/lancers armed with bow, sword, lance, mace, and/or axe, each weapon for a
(Poyra) Franks, and that no men, except the Franks and
[Raymond 5b=28] different range and purpose. themselves, are naturally born to be knights.
thrusts of Turkish lances [lanceis] This is true, and nobody can deny it, that if only
[Ralph 22a] they had stood firm in the faith of Christ and
The latter also were struck by spears holy Christendom, you could not find
[lanceis] and skewered just as if on a stronger or braver or more skillful soldiers;
spit over a fire.

Bo

RN

i SB
ay Bathys R
Sarisu ive r
Bathys R (ukurhisar)
ive r
Ta

(Inonu) (Oklubali)
Sa
ris
u a 6
yi

5 Qi
0 1000 m 2000 m
Turkish Army 4: Parthian Shot 1097/06/30

7a- Turkish Parthian Shot

[Gilo 4.180-4, 187-9]
The Turks hemmed in our men, and then rode off swiftly, now
attacking the Christians, now fleeing from them, and while the
Turks ran away they let fly with their curved bows (for they fight
(Poyra)
more with the bow, and to great effect). in their flight they
both ran away and inflicted wounds for those who are now called
Turks are the Parthians of old, and trusting in their arrows
while fleeing away is their custom.
[Robert 9]
The Turkish tactic is to turn and flee after shooting their arrows
and whilst fleeing to inflict serious wounds [with archery] on
those following them.

7b- Turkish Parthian Shot

A modern reenactor in medieval Middle Eastern heavy armor,
shooting the composition bow in the Parthian Shot. The Askar/
household troops of Muslim princes duringi the crusades would
u ay Bathys R
have been similarly armed, and looked Saris much like this horseman. A ive r (ukurhisar)
Bathys R
small round shield could iver
be tied to the left forearm and not prevent
the use of archery. A heavy crusader-style shield would have
prevented counted archer. Hence Muslim horsemen, while
(Inonu) (Oklubali)
armored, would have had smaller or no shieldsthe major Sa
ris
u
protection against a knights lance chargeand hence would a
yi
generally not be willing to stand against a charge of close order
knights.
 Crusading Warfare

https://www.crusadingwarfare.net/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/459168451092888/
YouTube channel = Crusading Warfare