DBA Armies

This list covers Crusader armies from the arrival at Constantinople of the first Crusade until the formation of the military orders of the Hospitallers and Templars. It includes initial battles against the Seljuk Turks at Nicaea and Dorylaeum in Anatolia, the taking of Antioch and Jerusalem and the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Principality of Antioch and the Counties of Edessa and Tripoli; and then the initial defence of the Kingdom against the Fatimids and failed attempts to capture Aleppo and Damascus. Although able to charge through most enemy cavalry, Crusader knights who charged too rashly were vulnerable to horse archers. This made Turkish armies more dangerous opponents than the Fatimids, whose cavalry fought with the lance but wore less armour than Crusaders and charged less fiercely. In the latter part of the first Crusade, severe losses of horses due to lack of forage forced many knights to fight on foot. A small Byzantine contingent under Tatikios (who usually commanded tourkopouloi horse-archers) accompanied the army as far as Antioch hopefully to protect the emperor’s interests. The fiercely charging Norman and French knights that provided the army with its punch now wore mail hauberks extending to the wrist and the richer ones that fought in the front rank had mail trousers. Long kite shields and acorn helmets were still in use, but not yet closed helmets, heraldic shield emblems and horse caparisons. The pilgrims providing the foot included some effective crossbowmen but most others provided only mass and indiscriminate looting until disciplined by danger. References: Armies and Enemies of the Crusades 1. Heath, Victory in the East J. France, Knight with Armour A. Duggan (novel), Count Bohemond A. Duggan (novel).