The word "outremer" is a French term that literally means "overseas". It was used during the Middle Ages to describe the territories that were under the control of European crusaders in the Holy Land. The spelling of "outremer" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ut.ʁə.mɛʁ/. The "ou" is pronounced as in "you", the "t" and "r" are pronounced separately, the "e" is pronounced as in "met", and the last "r" is silent.
Outremer is a French word that literally translates to "beyond the sea" or "overseas" in English. Initially, it referred to the Crusader states established in the Levant during the medieval period, particularly the Kingdom of Jerusalem, County of Tripoli, Principality of Antioch, and County of Edessa. These territories were located in the eastern Mediterranean region and were occupied by Western European Christians after the First Crusade in the 11th century.
Over time, the term "outremer" has acquired broader meanings, encompassing any distant or foreign lands beyond the sea. It can refer to overseas colonies or territories controlled by a nation, especially European powers during the age of exploration and colonialism. For instance, during the 16th to 19th centuries, European nations such as France, Spain, and England established colonies and trading posts in various parts of the world, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia. These territories were often referred to as "outremer."
Today, the term is still used in historical contexts or in relation to the Crusader states. It denotes the regions in the Levant that were under Western European control during the medieval period. Additionally, it can be seen as a poetic or literary term in contemporary usage, representing a faraway or exotic place that evokes a sense of mystery and adventure.
The word "outremer" has its origins in the French language. It is composed of two separate elements: "outre" and "mer".
- "Outre" means "beyond" or "across" in Old French, derived from the Latin word "ultra", meaning "beyond" or "on the other side". It eventually evolved into the French term "outre", retaining a similar meaning.
- "Mer" simply means "sea" in French, originating from the Latin word "mare".
When combined, "outremer" literally translates to "beyond the sea" in French. It was primarily used in medieval times to refer to the regions situated beyond the Mediterranean Sea, particularly the Holy Land (including Jerusalem) and the Crusader states established there.
Over time, "outremer" became associated with the Christian territories in the East, specifically those controlled by Western European Crusaders.