Timber and Fire - How Jerusalem was captured by Crusaders

Ercole de Roberti Destruction of Jerusalem
Source: wikimedia commons

Mid-June 1099 - Genoese fleet anchored at Jaffa, at this time just small natural harbour, closest to Jerusalem. They had come primary to explore new avenues for commerce. For Baldwin, crusaders leader in this time, they provide needed naval power. He offered them generous term - they can create independent trading enclave in any settlement or city taken by Crusaders with sailors help. In addition experienced and  skilled Genoese craftsman strengthen engineering skills of Crusaders which combined with local Christian knowledge about timber sources allow Crusaders to start building siege machinery. Muslim used normal tactic to fight this timber siege towers - fire but sometimes with unexpected role change:

Medieval Britain post

XVth century scribe at work (modern reconstruction)
Source: wikimedia commons

How letters were sent in 15th century on British Isles describe Deborah Thorpe in September 2013 BBC History Magazine. 

Not surprisingly the reason of sending letters in those times wasn't much different than today. People sending the letter in every topic starting from business related to love affairs. However, there were many challenges in process of getting a letter from sender to recipients. First one was to find the right person suitable to write the letter as not everyone was capable to do this. 

How wool influence British economy

Women sheering sheep for wool fleece.
Source: wikimedia commons

10 million wool fleeces yearly were exported from England in beginning of 14th century ... that's a lot - and make England the world biggest wool producer in those time. But is not only quantity but also quality:

English farmers had developed breeds of sheep that produced fleeces of varying weight and quality, some of which were among the best in Europe. Source: History's big numbers, interviews by Charlotte Hodgman, BBC History Magazine 2/2014

Increasing demands from continental trade center  - Ypres, Ghent, Bruges (all nowadays in Belgium) - requires also good organisation.  Key role plays here monasteries which not only kept theirs own herds but also contracted flocks from peasants leaving in surrounding villages. To make it happen new occupancy like woolman or woolmongers where created. Especially in this area specialized are Cisterian monasteries  - it was integral to the order economy - sheep not only provided wool, which could be used to make clothing and blankets for the community, or else sold, but were important for the manufacture of butter and cheese. 

West come to East

Western dukes of First Crusade,
 from left Godfrey de Bouillon,
Bohemond I of Tarent, 
Raymond IV de Toulouse,
Tancred of Hauteville
Source: wikimedia commons

1097 AD - 2 years after the famous sermon was given by Pope Urban II in Council of Clermont call for Crusades - western knights arrive at Constantinople gates. Between them there four noble dukes: 

• Godfrey de Bouillon - second son of the count of Boulogne, with blood lineage back to Charlemagne. Born around 1060 AD in Boulogne-sur-Mer . Describe by medieval chronicler William of Tyre as taller than 'the average man ... strong beyond compare, with solidly built limbs and stalwart chest, [with] pleasing features  [and] beard and hair of medium blond'.
• Bohemond of Tarent, son of famous Robert Guiscard (the Astute), Duke of Apulia and Calabria
• Raymond IV of Toulouse - count of Toulouse, duke of Narbonne and margrave of Narbonne.
• Tancred of Hauteville, grandson of Robert Guiscard so also the nephew of Bohemond.