The Crusades A Religious Journey (Pilgrimage) to freedom

The Myth The crusades were wars of unprovoked aggression against a peaceful, enlightened Muslim world The crusades were wars of unprovoked aggression against a peaceful, enlightened Muslim world Crusaders were bloodthirsty villains, hungry for money, power and land Crusaders were bloodthirsty villains, hungry for money, power and land

Key Figures of the First Crusade The first crusade was launched by Pope Urban II. He made the following speech: The first crusade was launched by Pope Urban II. He made the following speech: “God himself will lead them, for they will be doing His work. There will be absolution and remission of sins for all who die in the service of Christ. Here they are poor and miserable sinners; there they will be rich and happy. Let none hesitate; they must march next summer. God wills it!”

GOD WILLS IT! “Deus Vult” – or “God wills it!” became the battle cry of the Crusades!

Problems faced by the First Crusade: No single leader No single leader No chain of command No chain of command No supply lines No supply lines No detailed strategy No detailed strategy

The Path of the First Crusade

The First Crusade was a success…

The Crusader States after the First Crusade

The Strategic Problem… Syrian belt To Mecca To Egypt To big chunk of Muslim empire The First Crusade avoided Aleppo and Damascus, missing the opportunity to cut the Muslim empire in half. In the long run this meant the Crusades were doomed.

What happened after the First Crusade? County of Edessa fell to the Turks and Kurds in County of Edessa fell to the Turks and Kurds in Second Crusade, 1145–1149, French and German armies, failed miserably. Second Crusade, 1145–1149, French and German armies, failed miserably. Battle of Hattin, 1187: Saladin’s unified army (100,000) met the combined armies of the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem (<20,000) Battle of Hattin, 1187: Saladin’s unified army (100,000) met the combined armies of the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem (<20,000)

The March to Hattin Crusader army was wiped out Crusader army was wiped out Jerusalem surrendered not long after (Chapter 32) Jerusalem surrendered not long after (Chapter 32)

Conclusion The Crusades were not an example of Christian aggression. They were a series of just wars in response to Muslim conquest. The Crusades were not an example of Christian aggression. They were a series of just wars in response to Muslim conquest. Crusaders weren't in it to get rich, or for a bit of sport, killing, robbing and pillaging in a faraway land. Crusaders weren't in it to get rich, or for a bit of sport, killing, robbing and pillaging in a faraway land. The Sack of Jerusalem and the Sack of Constantinople were bad and can’t be excused (although there were atrocities the other way too). The Sack of Jerusalem and the Sack of Constantinople were bad and can’t be excused (although there were atrocities the other way too). Overall, the Crusading effort in the Holy Land was a failure. Overall, the Crusading effort in the Holy Land was a failure. By the 16th century, the battleground of the Crusades was Europe itself (e.g. Lepanto [Greece], Vienna), as Christian civilisation fought for survival. By the 16th century, the battleground of the Crusades was Europe itself (e.g. Lepanto [Greece], Vienna), as Christian civilisation fought for survival. Eventually, Christendom won, but it was more through economic development than military might. Eventually, Christendom won, but it was more through economic development than military might.

The Kingdom of Heaven Not just the thugs everyone thought! Not just the thugs everyone thought! Chapter 21!