>>16548917

The land that is now modern day Italy would be a natural crossroads between Western Europe and the holy land.

As soon as The Pope called for a crusade, the ruler’s of the great merchant state’s Venice, Genoa and Pisa began to plot ways to help the Crusaders and benefit themselves.

Providing by ship, both money and relief forces. At a price of-course.

These 3 merchant states were constantly forming alliances with and against each other. Which could make dealing with them difficult but was often preferable to the land route.

Genoa. Pics related.

>>16567273

However, a land route had to be established.

Because the knightly orders had to move and store/house financial and human recourses. I network of safe roads and safe houses had to be established from Western Europe to the holy lands.

At the centre of this network was Milan, one of the richest cities in Europe.

It’s greater metropolitan area today even reaches into Switzerland.

The merchant states and Rome to the south. The Franks and Germanic tribes to the north, the Normans and the Iberian peninsula to the west and the road to the holy land to the east.

Milan pics related.

>>16568945

Symbolism will be their downfall.

Apparently.

>>16568945

I’m just getting started.

Btw