1. A Quest for the Holy Land
THE CRUSADES
A Quest for the Holy Land

2. Crusades A series of wars between European Christians and Muslims
From
They fought over control of Jerusalem which was called the Holy Land

3. Jerusalem’s Importance
Jews: site of King Solomon’s Temple
Christians: site of Christ’s death, resurrection (Church of Holy Sepulchre)
Muslims: site of Muhammad’s ascension

4. Background Causes of Crusades
Christians had been going to Holy Land for centuries for pilgrimage, and Muslims never got in the pilgrims’ way
Year 1000 brought an increase of pilgrims
1009: Al-Hakim (caliph) burns Church of Holy Sepulcher, but it’s re-built.

6. Immediate Causes of Crusades
Muslim Turks
captured Jerusalem
from the Byzantine
Empire
Muslim Turks less
supportive of Christian pilgrims
Christian pilgrims
were attacked
Byzantine Emperor
(Alexius I)
feared an attack on
Constantinople

7. Pope Urban II and his call
Byzantine Emperor
Alexius I asks Church for
help against Turks
1095: Pope Urban II issues a call for a “holy” war, or Crusade, to capture back Jerusalem from Muslims
Pope assured that those that died in Crusade will have a place in Heaven

8. Who Answered the Call?
Feudal Lords
Knights
Peasants

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

10. The Second Crusade ( )
Europeans fail to recapture a “Crusader state” of Edessa—accomplished nothing!

11. The Third Crusade ( )
1187: Muslims recapture Jerusalem! Led by Saladin.
Saladin treated fallen enemies, including Christians, with courtesy. Known as chivalrous.
Christians’ led by Richard “the Lionheart”, King of England
Despite war, eventually a truce with Saladin; Muslims kept control of Jerusalem, though Christians would be allowed in the city