Crusades
What is a Crusade? Holy war against an infidel or unbeliever In medieval Europe, this meant anyone who did not follow the Roman Catholic religion
How The Crusades Began… Seljuk Turks (Muslims) took over Jerusalem Threatened Byzantium The Byzantine Emperor, Alexius I wrote a letter to Pope Urban II asking for help Remember we discussed this during our Islam unit??
Byzantium = Nervous Turks took over Abbasid land and the Anatolian peninsula VERY close to Constantinople… the Byzantine Emperor asked for HELP!
Pope Urban II Saw this as an opportunity to strengthen the church and raise an army Could free Jerusalem and the “holy land” In 1095 the Pope called on people to fight for “their God” and he promised the remission of sins
Pope Urban II & Peasants Called on the people of Europe to fight in 1095 Thousands responded Peasants are unprepared (skills & supplies) Most die
Why Join a Crusade? Knights motivated by: Religion (and sins) Adventure Fighting Opportunity to gain land, riches & maybe even a title
Crusade Video http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1kntw5_crusades-1-pilgrims-in-arms_shortfilms
1st Crusade First Crusade Many knights (especially from France) Several thousand cavalry & 10,000 infantry Reached Jerusalem in June, 1099 Won
After the Crusaders won… They divided up the land into states Called the land the “Kingdom Beyond the Sea” Many crusaders returned home (to England, France, etc.)… Muslims win back one of the states by 1144: Edessa
2nd Crusade Crusaders try to win back Edessa Fail
3rd Crusade (King’s Crusade) Jerusalem recaptured by Muslims by 1187 Muslims led by Saladin Third Crusade (sometimes called the Kings Crusade) led by many great European leaders King Richard vs. Saladin… ends in a truce Muslims control Jerusalem but Christians are free to worship in the city
4th Crusade Many years later… Saladin dies Pope Innocent III decides to start a 4th crusade to win back Jerusalem Crusaders meet in Venice, Italy- they realize they need money and weapons Venice’s leader, Dodge Dandello Invade Constantinople (Byzantium)
4th Crusade Not a single Muslim killed The Crusaders never made it to Jerusalem The Crusades began because of the emperor of Byzantium- in the end they invade Byzantium!
Crusade Video http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1kq8wt_crusades-4-destruction_shortfilms
Other Crusading Efforts: Spanish Reconquista / Inquisition Children’s Crusade
Effects of the Crusades: Power of religion Status of women Trade Religious tensions among Christians, Jewish, Muslims