ABSTRACT
The political development of the Crusader States in the twelfthcentury was marked by various factors. War against the neighbouring Muslim states was endemic, but the lack of political unity in Islam in the first half of the twelfth century allowed the Franks to establish strong kingship in Jerusalem. The main themes of this chapter are:
• how the Franks dealt with problems of dynastic succession;
• how extra military resources were found through the establishment of the Military Orders;
• how relations between the Franks in the East and in the West affected the security of the Crusader States.
