The Latin East in the 13th Century: Institutions, Settlements and Material Culture, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, January 31–February 2, 2018
In eye-witness account, Oliver of Paderborn, who came with the Fifth Crusade, described the construction of 'Atlit Castle, which commenced around February 1218, and which resulted in one of the most magnificent fortresses built in the Latin East. 'Atlit is located some 40 km south of 'Acre, the capital of the Frankish Kingdom or Jerusalem from 1191 to 1291. Stretching for 650 m along the Mediterranean seashore, the site consists of the well-fortified Templar castle built on a promontory and a town located to its east and south.
Like other Templar castles and strongholds in the Frankish Levant, notably at Tortosa, Sidon, Tyre, and 'Acre, 'Atlit exemplifies the order’s role to serve as defender of pilgrims and travelers on their way to Jerusalem. Scholarly discussion has debated the reasons behind the construction of the castle, its role in the defense of the kingdom in the 13th century, its importance in the development of medieval military architecture, and its significance for the Templar Order and pilgrimage.
Commemorating the 800th anniversary of the construction of 'Atlit Castle, the conference aims at re-examining developments in the Latin East in the 13th century, both in the Kingdom of Jerusalem itself, as well as in other regions of crusading activity or Frankish settlements, and from a wide range of perspectives and disciplines: history, archaeology, military architecture, warfare, art history, and religion.
Proposals for 20 minute papers are welcome. Subjects may include (butare not limited):
- The military orders
- Pilgrims
- Art and architecture
- The Fifth Crusade/ Crusader ideology in the 13th century
- Material culture
- Fortifications and wafare
- Society and settlement
- Christian/ Muslim (and other) interactions
- Mediterranean history/ maritime activity
- The collapse of the Kingdom of Jerusalem
Following the conference, a peer-reviewed monograph is planned.