Basic Facts Emperor Alexius Comnenus calls for help against Muslim Turks who were threatening to conquer his capital, Constantinople “Come then, with all your people and give battle with all your strength, so that all this treasure shall not fall into the hands of the Turks…Therefore act while there is still time lest the kingdom of the Christians shall vanish from your sight and, what is more important, the Holy Sepulchre shall vanish. And in your coming you will find your reward in heaven, and if you do not come, God will condemn you.” Pope Urban issues a “holy war” or Crusade to gain control over the Holy Land (8 total, 4 that were directed at Jerusalem) Over the next 200 years various Crusades would be launched Goal: To recover Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Muslim Turks

The Crusades: 1096-1204

Motives behind the Crusades Religious: God Wills It! Urban’s call brings out an outpouring of religious feeling and support Support came from all levels; kings to peasants. In 1096, up to 60,000 knights become Crusaders Red cross over tunic became a common symbol Few return

Motives behind the Crusades Where there’s money, there’s a way! Kings and Church use crusades to get rid of troublesome knights Youngest son of Lords/Kings seek fame and financial opportunity Leveled field between knights and commoners Merchants profited by making cash loans to finance Crusades - Ships leased - Materials/Resources sold - Key trade routes to India, Southeast Asia and China secured from Muslim traders

First and Second Crusades 1097: Three large armies had gathered in Constantinople. French, Germans, English, Scots, Italians and Spaniards. Crusaders ill-prepared. Little knowledge of geography, climate and culture of the Holy Land No strategy to capture Jerusalem 1099, 12,000 Crusaders capture Jerusalem after a one month siege. Land claimed was from Edessa to Jerusalem Four feudal states carved out Reoccurring conflict ends with Saladin taking Jerusalem in 1187

Third and Fourth Crusades Third Crusade’s goal to recapture Jerusalem was a stalemate after three European kings tried to overthrow Saladin. Richard the Lion Hearted (England) agree to a truce in 1192 In 1198 Pope Innocent III calls for another Crusade. By this time the knights involved are mainly pursuing material wealth. Italian and Byzantine politics get in the way and the capital of Constantinople is looted and sacked. This leads to the break between East and West which affects the Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic

Later Crusades One of the crusades is into Northern Africa. Why? Children’s Crusade: many killed or sold into slavery. Why would they do this? Spanish Crusade - 1492 (Reconquista) over the Moors which leads to the infamous Spanish Inquisition

Facts Crusaders came from all walks of life Many inspired by a deep faith and a yearning to see the Holy Land Pilgrims of Christ About ¼ died in battle and another ¼ died along the way Many suffered to defend their small strip of land, “Kingdom of Jersalem”

Cause/Effect Causes Take back holy land Spread of religion Difference or intolerance of other religion Pope’s Wish Greed/Material Wealth Effects People Died Byzantine Empire weakened Pope loses power Kings become stronger Muslims distrust Christians Trade opens/Improved European economy Town and cities grow

Why the Crusades matter now Opened up Europe to ancient Greek/Roman thought paving way to Renaissance Trade enhanced European economy and created forerunners to modern banking and financial institutions Art and literature benefited Persecution on Non-Christians by Christians leaves a deep-rooted bitterness Idea that violence is acceptable when used for a “higher cause” became more common and is still used today