Amanda Charland | University of Glasgow (original) (raw)
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Thesis by Amanda Charland
This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military per... more This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military perspective. For the past 150 years, Crusader castle research has provided many excellent studies. However, the field has been dominated by military historians, focussed on the evolution of architecture and debating stylistic origins. Urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing within their walls unless they contribute to the discussion of military advancements. The study of these fortifications is further biased by their Frankish-centric material, rarely considering the biography of the site, thus downplaying Muslim elements. Other castle research, like that from Britain, has moved past this military focus, turning towards social or symbolic interpretations. Instead of incorporating both lines of interpretation, a divide was created leading to the interpretative straightjacket known as the ‘war or status’ rut. In order to rectify these biases and escape the straightjacket this PhD project seeks to answer the question: what are the military and social or symbolic functions of city walls? This thesis aims to: address the field’s bias by evaluating the full biography of the city walls during the Frankish era (1099–1291); take into account both Frankish and Muslim occupations of the sites; incorporate evidence of city wall use from multiple disciplines, such as history, architecture, sigillography, and art; and analyze the data using the theoretical concepts of biography, monumentality and memory.
These aims are met through the case studies of Ascalon and Caesarea. By taking into account evidence from multiple fields, this thesis effectively unravels the functions of these cities’ city walls so that they are no longer limited by their military treatments. These case studies demonstrate that the city walls did not stand idly throughout the course of the Crusader era. They were used as monumental demonstrations of élite power as well as objects of civic pride and community achievement. They provided apotropaic as well as military protection against their enemies and were used to display domination and victory, demonstrating one group’s oppression and conquest over the other.
Conference Papers by Amanda Charland
This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculptu... more This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, as well as Roman spolia, were used at several points during the wall's biography to add an apotropaic function to their physical protection. Archaeological evidence supports that a church was situated along the city's eastern wall during the Frankish occupation of 1101-1187. In this paper I argue that this structure lent a level of magical protection to the city walls through its proximity, a function which was reinforced through the inclusion of apotropaic Romanesque creatures and spoliated Roman elements in the church's floor and walls. This protection was then continued through the incorporation of the church's ruins during King John de Brienne's refortification in 1217. The magically charged spolium was then re-used once more during the next phase of Caesarea's biography during King Louis IX's monumental refortification of 1251-1252. Along with spoliated Roman architectural elements, King Louis IX also used Gothic decorations throughout the city walls to provide military and magical protection. This symbolic protection will be demonstrated by looking at existing architectural and archaeological evidence.
In Crusader castle studies, urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing... more In Crusader castle studies, urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing within their walls unless the civic fortifications contribute to the discussion of military advancements. This paper addresses the discipline's bias by exploring the function of Ascalon's Ayyubid and Frankish city walls (1187 to 1192) from both a social and a military perspective.
Frankish era town walls traditionally receive an uninspiring and perfunctory analysis, often cons... more Frankish era town walls traditionally receive an uninspiring and perfunctory analysis, often considered second-rate defensive structures next to the far more impressive castles that stand within them. These interpretations are generally driven by military descriptions based on the pre-conceived and accepted roles that these town walls play, solely that of protection and practicality. Much, if not all, of the decorative and non-defensive evidence is ignored or disregarded as irrelevant in these military readings, thus severely biasing any interpretation.
Books by Amanda Charland
Good Deeds in Pennsylvania: A History of the Bryn Clovis and Brushwood Farms in Chester County, 2019
"Nestled within the open fields and the hills of eastern Chester County lies Brushwood Stable. No... more "Nestled within the open fields and the hills of eastern Chester County lies Brushwood Stable. Now home to world class race horses, the property's history spans back to the days of William Penn and the founding of Pennsylvania. Located near Willistown Township's Historic Sugartown, 20 miles west of Philadelphia, the property consists of two tracts of land divided by Sugartown Road: Brushwood lies to the southwest; and Bryn Clovis lies to the northeast. A unique collection of documents survive to tell their story, offering a great insight into not only the broader changes of a burgeoning country but also the unique stories pertaining to the Garrett, Sinquet, Baker, and Robert families."
Papers by Amanda Charland
This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military per... more This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military perspective. For the past 150 years, Crusader castle research has provided many excellent studies. However, the field has been dominated by military historians, focussed on the evolution of architecture and debating stylistic origins. Urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing within their walls unless they contribute to the discussion of military advancements. The study of these fortifications is further biased by their Frankish-centric material, rarely considering the biography of the site, thus downplaying Muslim elements. Other castle research, like that from Britain, has moved past this military focus, turning towards social or symbolic interpretations. Instead of incorporating both lines of interpretation, a divide was created leading to the interpretative straightjacket known as the ‘war or status’ rut. In order to rectify these biases and escape the straig...
Conference Proceedings : Fields Of Conflict, 2016; Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 2019
This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculptu... more This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, as well as Roman spolia, were used at several points during the wall's biography to add an apotropaic function to their physical protection. Archaeological evidence supports that a church was situated along the city's eastern wall during the Frankish occupation of 1101-1187. In this paper I argue that this structure lent a level of magical protection to the city walls through its proximity, a function which was reinforced through the inclusion of apotropaic Romanesque creatures and spoliated Roman elements in the church's floor and walls. This protection was then continued through the incorporation of the church's ruins during King John de Brienne's refortification in 1217. The magically charged spolium was then re-used once more during the next phase of Caesarea's biography during King Louis IX's monumental refortification of 1251-1252. Along with spoliated Roman architectural elements, King Louis IX also used Gothic decorations throughout the city walls to provide military and magical protection. This symbolic protection will be demonstrated by looking at existing architectural and archaeological evidence.
This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military per... more This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military perspective. For the past 150 years, Crusader castle research has provided many excellent studies. However, the field has been dominated by military historians, focussed on the evolution of architecture and debating stylistic origins. Urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing within their walls unless they contribute to the discussion of military advancements. The study of these fortifications is further biased by their Frankish-centric material, rarely considering the biography of the site, thus downplaying Muslim elements. Other castle research, like that from Britain, has moved past this military focus, turning towards social or symbolic interpretations. Instead of incorporating both lines of interpretation, a divide was created leading to the interpretative straightjacket known as the ‘war or status’ rut. In order to rectify these biases and escape the straightjacket this PhD project seeks to answer the question: what are the military and social or symbolic functions of city walls? This thesis aims to: address the field’s bias by evaluating the full biography of the city walls during the Frankish era (1099–1291); take into account both Frankish and Muslim occupations of the sites; incorporate evidence of city wall use from multiple disciplines, such as history, architecture, sigillography, and art; and analyze the data using the theoretical concepts of biography, monumentality and memory.
These aims are met through the case studies of Ascalon and Caesarea. By taking into account evidence from multiple fields, this thesis effectively unravels the functions of these cities’ city walls so that they are no longer limited by their military treatments. These case studies demonstrate that the city walls did not stand idly throughout the course of the Crusader era. They were used as monumental demonstrations of élite power as well as objects of civic pride and community achievement. They provided apotropaic as well as military protection against their enemies and were used to display domination and victory, demonstrating one group’s oppression and conquest over the other.
This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculptu... more This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, as well as Roman spolia, were used at several points during the wall's biography to add an apotropaic function to their physical protection. Archaeological evidence supports that a church was situated along the city's eastern wall during the Frankish occupation of 1101-1187. In this paper I argue that this structure lent a level of magical protection to the city walls through its proximity, a function which was reinforced through the inclusion of apotropaic Romanesque creatures and spoliated Roman elements in the church's floor and walls. This protection was then continued through the incorporation of the church's ruins during King John de Brienne's refortification in 1217. The magically charged spolium was then re-used once more during the next phase of Caesarea's biography during King Louis IX's monumental refortification of 1251-1252. Along with spoliated Roman architectural elements, King Louis IX also used Gothic decorations throughout the city walls to provide military and magical protection. This symbolic protection will be demonstrated by looking at existing architectural and archaeological evidence.
In Crusader castle studies, urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing... more In Crusader castle studies, urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing within their walls unless the civic fortifications contribute to the discussion of military advancements. This paper addresses the discipline's bias by exploring the function of Ascalon's Ayyubid and Frankish city walls (1187 to 1192) from both a social and a military perspective.
Frankish era town walls traditionally receive an uninspiring and perfunctory analysis, often cons... more Frankish era town walls traditionally receive an uninspiring and perfunctory analysis, often considered second-rate defensive structures next to the far more impressive castles that stand within them. These interpretations are generally driven by military descriptions based on the pre-conceived and accepted roles that these town walls play, solely that of protection and practicality. Much, if not all, of the decorative and non-defensive evidence is ignored or disregarded as irrelevant in these military readings, thus severely biasing any interpretation.
Good Deeds in Pennsylvania: A History of the Bryn Clovis and Brushwood Farms in Chester County, 2019
"Nestled within the open fields and the hills of eastern Chester County lies Brushwood Stable. No... more "Nestled within the open fields and the hills of eastern Chester County lies Brushwood Stable. Now home to world class race horses, the property's history spans back to the days of William Penn and the founding of Pennsylvania. Located near Willistown Township's Historic Sugartown, 20 miles west of Philadelphia, the property consists of two tracts of land divided by Sugartown Road: Brushwood lies to the southwest; and Bryn Clovis lies to the northeast. A unique collection of documents survive to tell their story, offering a great insight into not only the broader changes of a burgeoning country but also the unique stories pertaining to the Garrett, Sinquet, Baker, and Robert families."
This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military per... more This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military perspective. For the past 150 years, Crusader castle research has provided many excellent studies. However, the field has been dominated by military historians, focussed on the evolution of architecture and debating stylistic origins. Urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing within their walls unless they contribute to the discussion of military advancements. The study of these fortifications is further biased by their Frankish-centric material, rarely considering the biography of the site, thus downplaying Muslim elements. Other castle research, like that from Britain, has moved past this military focus, turning towards social or symbolic interpretations. Instead of incorporating both lines of interpretation, a divide was created leading to the interpretative straightjacket known as the ‘war or status’ rut. In order to rectify these biases and escape the straig...
Conference Proceedings : Fields Of Conflict, 2016; Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 2019
This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculptu... more This paper explores the function of Caesarea's Crusader city walls. Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, as well as Roman spolia, were used at several points during the wall's biography to add an apotropaic function to their physical protection. Archaeological evidence supports that a church was situated along the city's eastern wall during the Frankish occupation of 1101-1187. In this paper I argue that this structure lent a level of magical protection to the city walls through its proximity, a function which was reinforced through the inclusion of apotropaic Romanesque creatures and spoliated Roman elements in the church's floor and walls. This protection was then continued through the incorporation of the church's ruins during King John de Brienne's refortification in 1217. The magically charged spolium was then re-used once more during the next phase of Caesarea's biography during King Louis IX's monumental refortification of 1251-1252. Along with spoliated Roman architectural elements, King Louis IX also used Gothic decorations throughout the city walls to provide military and magical protection. This symbolic protection will be demonstrated by looking at existing architectural and archaeological evidence.