The four Crusader States established in the wake of the First Crusade survived remarkably well until their near total collapse following Saladin’s victory at the battle of Hattin in 1187. In this episode, Dr Steve Tibble discusses how the crusaders secured their states’ initial survival by capturing the precious ports along the coastline with the help of the Italian city states.

This episode is the second in a mini-series of six:

Ep.1: Were the crusaders really capable of strategy?

Ep.2: How did the crusaders take the coast?

Ep.3: How did the crusaders try to expand inland?

Ep.4: How did the crusaders rule the Holy Land?

Ep.5: How did the crusaders try to take Egypt?

Ep.6: How did the crusaders try to deal with Saladin?

This mini-series is based on Dr Steve Tibble's:

The Crusader Strategy

Other recommended works by Dr Steve Tibble:

The Crusader Armies

Templars: The knights who made Britain

Further reading:

Andrew Jotischky: The Crusading and the Crusader States (2nd Ed.)

Jonathan Phillips: The Crusades 1095-1204

Jonathan Riley-Smith: The Crusades: A History

Music by Aroshanti

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