Weapons of the Crusader Commoners in the Wars Against the Islamic East (1096-1099 CE) Weapons of the First Crusade as a Model: An Analytical Historical Study

Abstract

Abstract
This study examines the weapons used by common Crusaders during the First Crusade (1096–1099 CE) and their impact on military tactics against the Islamic Levant, highlighting the lack of specialized research in this area. The commoners relied on simple weapons, including short swords, spears, bows, axes, maces, shields, and helmets, as well as adapted agricultural tools, which led Crusader leaders to employ them in collective tactics to compensate for their limited individual combat skills. The study aims to analyze weapon types and effectiveness, the influence of social and economic background on armament, their role in attacks and sieges, and weapon development across campaigns. Results show that commoners’ armament was personal and sourced from multiple channels; agricultural tools, spoils, and craftsmen enhanced combat capacity, while bows and spears served to exert psychological pressure on the enemy, highlighting their crucial role in logistical support and manpower mobilization.