Latin law and the pre-existing populations of the Latin East, 1099-1291

The main research question this project seeks to answer is: to what extent does the treatment and
representation of Levantine groups in Latin legal texts challenge modern interpretations of segregation,
hostility, and exploitation in the Latin East? This new analysis of cross-cultural relationships between the
Latins and their Levantine subjects is intended to challenge misconceptions of the medieval past and
their impact on cross-cultural conflict in the Levant today.
Latin Christians founded four polities in the Levant during and after the First Crusade (1095-1099).
Nineteenth century European historians, influenced by contemporary colonial attitudes, presented the
Latins' relationships with their heterogeneous Levantine subjects as mutually beneficial (Rey, 1866;
Madelin, 1918). Conversely, mid-twentieth century historians, drawing parallels with contemporary
Israeli/Palestinian conflicts, presented them as oppressive, exploitative and marred by 'apartheid' (Smail,
1956; Prawer, 1980). Such perceptions of the medieval past are influential in popular Israeli, Palestinian
and Arab thought today, leading to conflict, as recently occurred at the Al-Asqa Mosque; likewise Western
extremist groups misappropriate Crusades history to promote nationalism, white supremacy and
Islamophobia (MacDonald, 2023; Esteve-Del Val, 2022; Roche, 2021). Orientalism and Colonialism,
combined with ongoing regional conflict, have therefore encouraged a proliferation of powerful,
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simplified interpretations of historical cross-cultural relationships which drive further conflict (Young,
2021; Ellenblum, 1998). Given continued tensions, a deeper understanding of the origins of cross-cultural
relationships between Western settlers and existing Levantine populations, drawn from novel sources
and methodologies, is required to complement contemporary work seeking to challenge those
misrepresenting the past.
This interdisciplinary study reappraises medieval cross-cultural relationships through an analysis of the
treatment and representation of Levantine populations in the Latin East's large surviving corpus of legal
texts. Levantine populations were generally ignored or vilified in traditional Western and elite-focussed
Crusades chronicles, yet legal texts regulating everyday interactions with Levantine groups have been
neglected (Jotischky, 2009; Mayer, 1978). Their study, using innovative approaches to legal history
(Critical Legal History and Comparative Legal History) offers a contextualised view of cross-cultural
relationships which challenges broad-brush interpretations of previous studies (Ibbetson, 2013;
Sugarman, 2018).
This project commenced part-time at NTU in January 2021. A case-study article inspired an invited paper
at the Irish Research Council's New Approaches Conference (2022) and resulted in a publication in
Nottingham Medieval Studies (2023). Further papers have been presented at the Society for the Study of
the Crusades and the Latin East (SSCLE) conference (2021); Northern Network for the Study of the
Crusades (NNSC) workshop (2022); and NTU's Law, Human Rights and Religion Flashpoints Conference,
2022. Chapter 1 will be presented at Leeds International Medieval Congress, 2023. Positive feedback
suggests this project has already inspired other scholars' utilisation of novel sources and interdisciplinary
methodologies.
Findings will be of interest to Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith groups and those with cultural heritage
connected to the Levant. Preliminary findings have been published for wider audiences through NTU's
Centre for the Study of Religion and Conflict (CSRC)'s blog, and Twitter. Further impact will be achieved
by developing learning resources, hosting archive exhibitions, podcasts, and workshops.