Instead of incorporating both lines of interpretation, a divide was created leading to the interpretative straightjacket known as the ‘war or status’ rut.
Other castle research, like that from Britain, has moved past this military focus, turning towards social or symbolic interpretations. The study of these fortifications is further biased by their Frankish-centric material, rarely considering the biography of the site, thus downplaying Muslim elements. Urban fortifications are overshadowed by the imperious keeps standing within their walls unless they contribute to the discussion of military advancements.
However, the field has been dominated by military historians, focussed on the evolution of architecture and debating stylistic origins. For the past 150 years, Crusader castle research has provided many excellent studies. This thesis presents a study of urban defence from a social or symbolic as well as a military perspective.
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