The First Crusade

Rise of Islam Muhammed ( ) Muhammed ( ) Unification of Arabs Unification of Arabs Conquest of neighboring lands Conquest of neighboring lands Middle East, n. Africa, Asia Minor Middle East, n. Africa, Asia Minor Incl. Antioch and Jerusalem, Alexandria Incl. Antioch and Jerusalem, Alexandria Constantinople threatened, falls in 1453 Constantinople threatened, falls in 1453 Pilgrims could visit holy sites, but had to pay taxes Pilgrims could visit holy sites, but had to pay taxes Spain: Spain:

Guibert of Nogent’s account “Saint” story “Saint” story Must have a miracle Must have a miracle Note Urban’s miracle! Note Urban’s miracle! Pope Urban II not an official saint, but beatified in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII Pope Urban II not an official saint, but beatified in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII Sees events as signs of God’s providence Sees events as signs of God’s providence Mixes the gory and the pious without irony Mixes the gory and the pious without irony See p. 334 See p. 334

Call to Crusade: 1095 Pope Urban worried about Muslims in Spain Pope Urban worried about Muslims in Spain Apocalyptic fears Apocalyptic fears Retaking control of holy sites could quicken the end of the world (327-28) Retaking control of holy sites could quicken the end of the world (327-28) Need a Christian resurgence first Need a Christian resurgence first Need a battle with the Antichrist (“Bring it on”) Need a battle with the Antichrist (“Bring it on”) Muslims control Holy Land (Palestine) Muslims control Holy Land (Palestine) Sites of Christian pilgrimage Sites of Christian pilgrimage Charged tax to visit sites Charged tax to visit sites French more receptive French more receptive Germans less obedient to pope Germans less obedient to pope God favors the French God favors the French

Violence, anti-Judaism at home Rhineland communities in France and Germany Rhineland communities in France and Germany Call issued Call issued Responders: if we are going abroad to kill the infidel, why not kill the infidel at home? Responders: if we are going abroad to kill the infidel, why not kill the infidel at home? Attacked whole Jewish communities Attacked whole Jewish communities Many committed suicide, killed children before Crusaders could Many committed suicide, killed children before Crusaders could Remembered in Judaism as martyrs Remembered in Judaism as martyrs

A holy war? “Cleanse the holiness of the city and the glory of the tomb, which has been polluted by the thick crowd of pagans,” Pope Urban II (327) “Cleanse the holiness of the city and the glory of the tomb, which has been polluted by the thick crowd of pagans,” Pope Urban II (327) Says previous wars in France/Europe were for greed and pride Says previous wars in France/Europe were for greed and pride This war is holier, for higher purposes This war is holier, for higher purposes Receive gift of martyrdom Receive gift of martyrdom Earn “present and future praise” Earn “present and future praise” Soldiers received absolution as they set out Soldiers received absolution as they set out Later, contributors could receive an indulgence Later, contributors could receive an indulgence Framed as a form of asceticism (330) Framed as a form of asceticism (330) Worship and almsgiving part of the effort (331) Worship and almsgiving part of the effort (331) Winning battle like freeing Christ from the tomb (333) Winning battle like freeing Christ from the tomb (333) Retribution by God against Muslims Retribution by God against Muslims

For next time Rise of papal authority Rise of papal authority Gregorian reforms, 1070s Gregorian reforms, 1070s How did Pope Gregory claim his authority over kings? How did Pope Gregory claim his authority over kings? Why? Why? Is he trying to correct abuses of power? Is he trying to correct abuses of power?