The Crusades

Crusade From the crosses sewn into the garments of those who took the vow to free the Holy Places from the Muslims. From the crosses sewn into the garments of those who took the vow to free the Holy Places from the Muslims. Rise of Mohammedan Dynasties: 1. Egypt: Fatimites 2. Palestine and Syria: Seljuk Turks 1071: Battle of Manzikert: the Turks annihilated the Byzantine Army and were about to take Constantinople. 1095: Pope Bl. Urban II held a council in Clermont (France); called for a Crusade to reclaim the holy places in the East.

For your brethren who live in the East are in urgent need of your help, and you must hasten to give them aid which has often been promised them. For, as most of you have heard, the Turks and Arabs have attacked them and conquered the territory of Romania [the Greek Empire] as far west as the shore of the Mediterranean and the Hellespont. They have occupied more and more lands of those Christians and have overcome them in seven battles…On this account I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ’s heralds to publish this everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians. - Pope Bl. Urban II, 1095

Crusades: Defensive Wars of Liberation Series of military expeditions to free formerly Christian lands from militant- fanatical Muslim oppression. Series of military expeditions to free formerly Christian lands from militant- fanatical Muslim oppression. To provide safety and protection for Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Places. To provide safety and protection for Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Places. Many had been robbed, beaten, or killed by Muslims for years. Many had been robbed, beaten, or killed by Muslims for years. Pope St. Gregory VII had been ready to invade the Holy Land with 50,000 troops 20 years before Urban II. Pope St. Gregory VII had been ready to invade the Holy Land with 50,000 troops 20 years before Urban II. The Crusader Vow included a Plenary Indulgence. The Crusader Vow included a Plenary Indulgence.

The First Crusade: Armies were divided into four groups all set to meet in Constantinople: 1. Godfrey of Bouillon: Duke of Lower Lorraine, led the people of Lorraine [Germans, and Northern Frenchmen] (uncle of St. Norbert!) 2. Hugh of Vermandois: Duke of Normandy (son of William the Conqueror and brother of King Philip I of France) led bands of French and Normans. 3. Raymond of Saint-Gilles and Adhemar of Moneil (Bishop of Puy): led the Southern French. 4. Bohemund and Tancred: led Normans from southern Italy. Both are related to Robert Guiscard, the founder of Norman Sicily. All armies, with some delays, arrived in Constantinople by April of All armies, with some delays, arrived in Constantinople by April of 1097.

The Relic of the Holy Lance First Crusade: the Siege of Antioch 2 June 1098: Bohemund takes Antioch Two days later, a Muslim relief force arrived and began to siege/starve the Crusader Army. Two days later, a Muslim relief force arrived and began to siege/starve the Crusader Army. All was about to be lost when a miracle took place: All was about to be lost when a miracle took place: 14 June: Peter Barthelemy (French pilgrim) had a vision during a dream of the sacred relic of the Lance (pierced Christ’s side at the crucifixion); it was buried under a church. Crusaders excited, made an attack on the Muslims and wiped them out! Crusaders excited, made an attack on the Muslims and wiped them out! St. Longinus

Crusader Victory! Spring 1097: campaign begins and 4 armies are quite successful. First Victory: siege Nicaea. First Victory: siege Nicaea. 1098: captured Antioch 1099: Captured Jerusalem (July 15) Pope Bl. Urban II died before receiving news of the sacking of Jerusalem. Pope Bl. Urban II died before receiving news of the sacking of Jerusalem. Crusaders were able to take advantage of the Muslim disunity in the area. Crusaders were able to take advantage of the Muslim disunity in the area. After the Reconquest of the Holy Land, the Crusaders organized the lands into counties, fiefs, and principalities based on the medieval feudal system. After the Reconquest of the Holy Land, the Crusaders organized the lands into counties, fiefs, and principalities based on the medieval feudal system. Godfrey and the Leaders of the 1 st Crusade

Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem Godfrey of Bouillon becomes first Crusader “king” of Jerusalem Godfrey of Bouillon becomes first Crusader “king” of Jerusalem 1100: at Godfrey’s death, younger brother Baldwin I is crowned King. Major Task: to control Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Major Task: to control Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Three Principal Fiefs: 1. County of Tripoli 2. Principality of Antioch 3. County of Edessa Muslims in Crusader territory were allowed land-ownership rights and treated with fairness. Muslims in Crusader territory were allowed land-ownership rights and treated with fairness. King Baldwin I ( )

Second Crusade Subsequent crusades were never as well organized as the First. Subsequent crusades were never as well organized as the First. After the First Crusade, the Crusader Kingdom in Palestine was under attack. After the First Crusade, the Crusader Kingdom in Palestine was under attack. 1144: Turks recaptured Edessa King Louis VII of France and Conrad II of Germany set out to capture Damascus. King Louis VII of France and Conrad II of Germany set out to capture Damascus. Hoping to create a defensive front for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Hoping to create a defensive front for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. They failed. They failed. Many saw this as a sign from God that penance needed to be done in order to purify the Crusaders’ intentions. Many saw this as a sign from God that penance needed to be done in order to purify the Crusaders’ intentions. King Louis VII of France ( )

Third Crusade: Most famous as the background to the Robin Hood stories. Most famous as the background to the Robin Hood stories. Three Great Kings: 1. Richard of England 2. Frederick I Barbarossa 3. Phillip of France To confront a united Muslim Turkish Army under Saladin. To confront a united Muslim Turkish Army under Saladin. Saladin had proclaimed a jihad against Christianity. Saladin had proclaimed a jihad against Christianity. 1187: Saladin captured Jerusalem and took the relic of the True Cross.

The Battle of Arsuf Sept 1191: Richard the Lionheart vs. Saladin After a grueling 70 mile march from Acre on route to Jaffa. After a grueling 70 mile march from Acre on route to Jaffa. Jaffa will be a launching place for the liberation of Jerusalem. Jaffa will be a launching place for the liberation of Jerusalem. Saladin used standard Turkish tactics: harassment, encirclement, annihilation. Saladin used standard Turkish tactics: harassment, encirclement, annihilation. Richard’s army was diminished after the siege of Acre. Richard’s army was diminished after the siege of Acre. Crusaders marched in 3 divisions, with their western flank protected by English ships on the Mediterranean. Crusaders marched in 3 divisions, with their western flank protected by English ships on the Mediterranean. Saladin could not break Richard’s ranks. Saladin could not break Richard’s ranks.

The Battle Rages Richard placed Hospitallers and Templars in charge of the rearguard. Richard placed Hospitallers and Templars in charge of the rearguard. 7 Sept 1191: Saladin ordered a full-scale engagement. Turkish tactics: used loud music to encourage their own troops and terrify the enemy. Turkish tactics: used loud music to encourage their own troops and terrify the enemy. Hospitallers could not resist the temptation to charge, Richard joined his knights on the line. Hospitallers could not resist the temptation to charge, Richard joined his knights on the line. They rode on to victory! They rode on to victory! Saladin failed to break-up the Christian army. He would never be able to challenge Richard again! Saladin failed to break-up the Christian army. He would never be able to challenge Richard again!

“So great was the slaughter among Saladin’s more noble Saracens that he lost more that day near Arsuf….than on any day in the previous forty years.” - Letter from Richard I to St. Bernard of Clairvaux