Crusader

Number 7 (1), 2019

3-11
The Castles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in Chernihov Region in the XIV–XV сenturies: Teutonic Trace

Authors: Olexandr M. Bondar

Abstract

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The article is devoted to the emergence of castles in the territory of Chernihov in the 14−15 centuries. In the 11th – 13th centuries on the territory of Chernihov principality there was a developed network of fortified feudal yards. They belonged to the estate of the boyars. However, their development was interrupted as a result of the Mongol invasion of 1238–1240. Almost all of these yards ceased to exist. Empty hillforts from these courtyards were again settled only at the beginning of the 17th century already the administration of the Commonwealth. The new tradition of building castles was entered on these lands by the administration of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania at the end of the 14th century. In turn, the Lithuanian feudal lords used the experience of building castles of the knights of the Teutonic Order. A characteristic feature of such fortified points was a small built-up area and the presence in the central part of the wooden tower. To date, only two of these castles are known, or rather, their remains in the form of fortifications, in the town of Sednev (Snovsk) and the village of Dniprovskoye, Chernihov region. In the late 14th – early 15th centuries they served as the administrative centers of small districts. However, already in the middle of the 15th century, their role was minimized and the ancient settlement in Sednev (Snovsk) was abandoned. The population returned to the places of the cities of the 10−13th centuries. It was here that urban centers were renewed. Thus, none of these two castles became the core of the future city, and tradition itself did not take root in Chernihov regions.

12-31
The Islamic Jihad during the Crusades

Authors: Sergey L. Dudarev

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This paper examines the key characteristics of the process of emergence and development of the jihadist movement, which led to the ousting of the Crusaders from the Eastern Mediterranean. The author has identified four major stages in the development of the jihadist movement, as well as several sub-stages within some of them. The paper examines the key reasons behind the emergence of the jihadist movement, its key characteristics, and the role of several prominent historical figures in the cultivation of jihad, including major Middle Eastern figures such as Imad al-Din Zengi, Nur ad-Din, and Salah ad-Din. The author describes the key characteristics of the final stage of the jihad, including the role played in the process by the Mamluks (e.g., Baibars). The researcher discusses some of the key ideological, political, and other components of the Crusades-era jihadist movement. Based on a number of sources, the paper reveals that it is not straightaway that jihad became the banner of struggle against the European invaders. In fact, it took a lot of time before the leaders of the Muslim world could, using the available ideological clichés to launch a liberation struggle, work out a model of ideal jihadist behavior that would be based on the postulates of Islam and overcome the disunity between each other and political pragmatism. Yet, the author argues, based, inter alia, on conclusions drawn by earlier research, that one should not idealize particular leaders of jihadism, as these men were not indifferent to the pursuit of various local, contextual, or dynastic interests, which suggests there being more to the Muslim rulers’ actions than just ideology. Throughout history, jihad has been an effective medium for not just achieving one’s geopolitical objectives but also “playing the two off against each other” (e.g., Muslim activists against malcontents, never a small group in the Islamic East). Lastly, while being, at its core, a fair movement aimed at liberating the Eastern Mediterranean from the Crusader invaders, jihad incidentally facilitated the cultivation of enmity against regular, peaceful Christians who had nothing to do with the pursuit of expansionist objectives.

32-53
Tatikios, Borsuk and Abu'l-Qasim

Authors: German Litvinov

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The article considers the culmination period of the struggle of Byzantine Empire and Great Seljuk Sultanate for Northwest Anatolia in 1090−1091 which is described by Anna Comnene. The analysis of two chapters of the book VI "Alexiad" reveals some aspects of Anna’s work, when she deliberately violated the chronology of events, thereby turning the historical narrative into an epic. The author of the article carries out the “de-epization”, and restores the chronology of events. This allows seeing the difficult political state of the region on the eve of the First Crusade.