2. 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

3. The Crusades:

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

9. 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 (Reconquista) over the Moors which leads to the infamous Spanish Inquisition

10. 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”

11. 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

12. 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