The Crusades

Importance of the Church Church and Politics Importance of the Church The pope was the head of the church. The Crusades were the wars fought between the Christians and the Muslims over the Holy Land. The kingdoms in Europe were tied by religion because nearly everyone was Christian. Because Christianity was so important in Europe, the Christian church gained a great deal of influence. New goods were brought back and trade increased between Europe and Asia. Relations with Muslims worsened. The Christian Church and Society Church and Art Church and Daily Life Painters and sculptors used religious subjects in their works. Most people worshipped at small local churches. Most music and literature centered on religious themes. Greatest examples of religious art were church buildings. Gothic architecture is known for its high pointed ceilings, tall towers, stained glass windows. Markets, festivals, ceremonies all took place at the church. Local priests advised people how to live. People could not read or write, they depended on the church to keep records.

Role of Church in Middle Ages Never was there a time when the Church was so powerful in Western Civilization. The Church was led by popes. Priests and nuns converted, gave care to people

Role of Church Monks were spiritual leaders (obviously) They lived in monasteries that acted like trade schools and YMCAs

Role of Church They spent years transcribing the Bible since the printing press wasn’t used in Europe yet.

Churches and Cathedrals during the Middle Ages

History of Stained Glass Stained glass, considered a precious object, was linked in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries to the aesthetics of precious stones and metalwork; it therefore received a place of honor in the building that housed it.

Stained glass was viewed as the light that is strongly associated in the Christian religion as holy or “God-like”.

These transparent tapestries carry messages about the history of salvation and were used to tell stories, allow parents to teach children simple lessons, help theologians explain complex lessons, enable worshippers to focus on images as they meditate or pray…and, of course they light a dark church in a colorful and decorative way.

Glass was made from one part river sand and two parts from the pot-ash from dried beech-wood. How were different colors created? Well, you may not have thought about it before, but stained glass workers were chemists. Colors were created from different elements. The famous medieval blues were obtained from cobalt oxide, ruby red from copper oxide, green from iron oxide, and yellow from soot or sulfur.

Rose windows are particularly characteristic of Gothic architecture and may be seen in all the major Gothic Cathedrals of Northern France. Their origins are much earlier and rose windows may be seen in various forms throughout the Medieval period. Their popularity was revived, with other medieval features, during the Gothic revival of the 19th century so that they are seen in Christian churches all over the world. What are Rose Windows?

Role of Church Since there were no strong empires or kingdoms the Church was one organization that had respect and power. Popes were more powerful than kings!

Crusades The Crusades were a series of battles between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. Christian knights wanted to take the Holy Land and give it back to Christians

The Call to Arms Pope Urban II called for the defeat of the Turks, returning the Holy Land to the Christians

Causes of the Crusades Christians wanted to liberate the Holy Land from the Muslims Knights and lords were promised land if they fought The pope’s plea to protect Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem

Who Answered the Call? Feudal Lords Knights Peasants

The First Crusade (1096-1099) Peasant army Knights Untrained Lacked military equipment Many killed by Muslim Turks Knights Succeeded in capturing Jerusalem

Second Crusade (1147-1149) After victory many Christians went back home. The Turks eventually took back much of the territory. King of France and Emperor of Germany sent troops to stop the Turks.

Second Crusade (1147-1149) Saladin leads the Muslim Turks to victory, defeating the Christians * He was considered a very wise ruler. He was known for his sometimes kind treatment of fallen enemies. Many Christians saw him as a model of knightly chivalry.

Third Crusade (1189-1192) King Richard of England convinces the Turks to allow Christians to visit the Holy Land

Crusades Continue Through 1200’s Several more crusades attempted with no victories for the Christians Children’s crusade, - 30,000 soldiers - many of them under 12 years old – Never made it to the Holy Land

Why was Constantinople so important geographically?

Impact of the Crusades Persecution of Jews and Muslims Economic development via trade Thousands of people died Cultural diffusion Decline of feudalism due to a labor shortage