The number of the united army of the Сrusaders in the Wendish Military campaign of 1147
https://doi.org/10.18384/2310-676X-2022-4-51-64
Abstract
Aim. To critically re-think the size of the crusader troops cited in the medieval chronicle “Annales Magdeburgenses”, which participated in the campaign in the lands of the Baltic Slavs, better known in historiography as the Wendish crusade of 1147.
Methodology. Based on the text of the Latin chronicle “Annales Magdeburgenses”, and also taking into account the estimates of the crusading troops’ number given in Russian and foreign historiography, the author makes an attempt to significantly reduce this figure, which, in his opinion, more accurately conveys the realities of that era. The method of comparison, the mathematical method, and the method of historical events reconstruction were used.
Results. It is concluded that the Latin chronicle “Annales Magdeburgenses”, in order to emphasize the scale of the campaign undertaken against the Slavs, gives greatly inflated figures that have no evidence. Based on a number of arguments presented, a conclusion was made about the greatly overestimated number of the troops and more reasonable figures are given for the number of people who participated in the campaign.
Research implications. Subjected to critical evaluation of the text of the Latin chronicle, as well as a number of modern studies. The author’s estimate of the number of crusader militias participating in the Wendish Crusade of 1147 is proposed.
About the Author
I. V. Prokhvatilov
Moscow Region State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Ilya V. Prokhvatilov – postgraduate student, Department of History, Political Science and Law
ul. Very Voloshinoi 24, Mytishchi 141014, Moscow Region
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