Question
Examine the roles played by women in warfare in either the medieval European or the Islamic world.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must choose one of the suggested areas and then consider the role of women in warfare in an effort to discern their significance.
Indicative content
Medieval Europe:
• Noblewomen were responsible for organizing the defence of their castles and lands when their husbands were away at war. In some cases they had to lead vigorous defences to preserve their territory.
• Women were occasionally a cause of war as disputes over marriages might lead to war or a struggle for the lands of an heiress might lead to violence.
• Women went to war as servants to support the troops with food and clothing and to provide companionship.
• Women played a key role behind the scenes to maintain the economy, produce goods and provide support so that the men could engage in the actual fighting.
Islamic world:
• As regards Muslim women in warfare, there are few known examples of them fighting in battles.
• Candidates may note the role of A’isha, a wife of the Prophet, in leading the resistance to Ali in the Battle of the Camels, which led to the first Fitna, but this is an isolated example of women being involved in warfare.
• Islamic women also tended the wounded and brought water to the troops.
• As always, the majority of women in the countryside had agricultural duties and tended the
flocks.
• During sieges they assisted in the defence of citadels and city walls.
• Women may also be seen as a cause of wars as a result of disputes over marriages, land and inheritance.
Question
With reference to the medieval European and/or Islamic world, evaluate the importance of dynastic disputes as the principal cause of two wars.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must identify and address the impact and significance of dynastic disputes on their chosen wars. They may discuss other important factors that led to their exemplar wars and, perhaps, assert that these other factors were more significant. Nevertheless, the bulk of the response should address the importance (or otherwise) of dynastic.
Note: In their responses, candidates may choose to select two medieval European wars, two wars in the Islamic world or one war each from either aspect.
Indicative content
• Candidates must assess the importance of dynastic disputes relative to the importance of other factors as a cause of the chosen wars.
• Dynastic disputes involve quarrels between rival royal or noble families for land, trade routes, religious influence or other items of wealth or territory.
• A dynastic dispute may also be interpreted as a dispute between rival branches of the same family for titles, land or other forms of wealth and power.
• The other possible causes of war that candidates must consider in their analysis of the role of dynastic disputes may include: religion, ethnic or tribal rivalry, personal animosity, territory, alliances with other powers, rise of new social classes or power centres such as urban areas.
• A reasoned and balanced response is required. Candidates may deny the importance of dynastic disputes as a cause of war in their response but they must explain clearly why that is the case.
Question
Evaluate the role of Muslim leadership in the defeat of the Crusades.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
While candidates may focus on a range of factors that led to, or assisted in, the Muslim defeat of the Crusaders, there must be consideration of the impact of Muslim leadership and this should constitute the majority of the response.
Indicative content
• Candidates may refer to individuals such as Salah al-Din, Nur al-Din and Baybars as examples of strong Muslim leadership that contributed to the defeat of the West.
• The success of the Muslim leaders in winning battles against the Crusaders caused a great increase in Muslim morale and desire to resist the invaders. In addition, as a result of the victories, dissident Muslim groups were eliminated or forced to join the resistance against the Crusaders.
• Candidates may also choose to place a lesser value on the issue of leadership and choose to promote other factors as being of greater importance – the loss of support from Europe for the Crusades, the small European population, the poor military tactics employed, the loss of support from the Byzantines, the influence of the Mongols and the rise of new powerful Muslim forces such as the Seljuks and the Mamluks.