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First crusade (Click to select text)
In the middle of the Eleventh Century, the peace of the eastern Mediterranean seemed assured for many years to come, but little did the people know what was ahead. In this project, I will be discussing the events that lead up to the first in a long line of crusades. I will also be mentioning the lives of some of the crusaders through letters that they wrote. The crusades were a time of confusion for most people, yet today we look back at them as a turning point. These Crusades were Christian military expeditions undertaken between the 11th and the 14th century to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims. The word crusade, which is taken from the Latin crux ("cross"), is a reference to the biblical order that Christians carry their cross. Crusaders wore a red cloth on their tunics to indicate that they had assumed the cross and were soldiers of Christ. The causes of the Crusades were many and complex, but prevailing religious beliefs were clearly of major importance. Other reasons for joining the band of crusaders were: a) Some went to escape bad times at home. b) Some went because they were bored. c) Some went to find out what opportunity there were in the East. d) Some went to wash away their sins and ensure a place in heaven. e) Some went for adventure. f) Some wanted a chance to gain some of the riches of the east. g) Some here forced to go by their feudal lords. The Crusaders continued an older tradition of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Now, however, they assumed two roles as pilgrims and warriors. Such an armed pilgrimage was regarded as a justifiable war, because it was fought to recapture the places sacred to that of the Christians. Jerusalem had been under Muslim rule since the 7th century, but pilgrimages were not cut off until the 11th century (when the Seljuk Turks began to interfere with Christian pilgrims). For Christians, the very name of Jerusalem evoked visions of the end of time and of the heavenly city. To help rescue the Holy Land fulfilled the ideal of the Christian knight. The hope of eternal merit and the offer of indulgences motivated thousands to enroll in the cause. Political considerations were also important. The Crusades were a response to appeals for help from the Byzantine Empire, threatened by the advance of the Seljuk Turks. The year 1071 had seen both the captures of Jerusalem and the decisive defeat of the Byzantine army at Miniskirt, creating fear of further Turkish victories. The Crusades were equally a result of economic circumstances. The fabulous riches of the East lured many participants; a campaign abroad appealed as a mean of escaping from the pressures of feudal society, in which the younger sons in a family often lacked economic opportunities. On a larger scale, the major European powers and the rising Italian cities (Genoa, Pisa, and Venice) saw the Crusades as a mean of establishing and extending trade routes. Late in the year of 1095 Pope Urban announced on Tuesday, November 27 that he would hold a public session to make a great announcement. This was the beginning of what was to be the First Crusade. After having painted a real grim or somber picture the Pope made his appeal. He thought that western Christendom should march to the rescue of the East. Rich and poor alike should go and they should leave off slaying each other and instead fight a great war. The public thought it was God’s will and that God would lead them and take care of them. During his speech, cries of "Dues le wolt! - "Godwills it!" – were shouted from the crowd. Just after the Pope ended his speech, the bishop of Le Puy fell to his knees and asked permission to join the "Holy Expedition." Hundreds crowded up to later follow his example. Each man involved with the expedition was to wear a cross in symbolization of his dedication. Anyone who took this cross vowed to go to Jerusalem. Everyone was to be ready to leave his home by August 15. The armies were to meet in Constantinople. When they were all together pope Urban wanted to make it clear that the crusade was under the control of the church, so he appointed Bishop Le Puy as the leader . When Urban returned to Rome for Christmas of 1096 he could feel assured that the Crusade was truly launched. He in fact launched a movement greater than he would ever know. By October 1096, the Byzantine emperor had not anticipated a force as large as that of which the Crusaders brought. Although he provided the crusaders with food, shelter and promised them guides, he attempted to get oaths of loyalty from them and exerted pressures upon the crusaders that would not comply. The visit of these Crusaders to Constantinople marked the beginning of Western distrust of Byzantine that would eventually hamper the second crusade. Life during the first crusade was miserable and evil. Men were wearing them selves out to the harm of their bodies and their souls. But their life would be prosperous and joyful and they would be true friends of god. The Crusade perhaps more than any other event in before the Eleventh Century elicited a great number of letters. The excerpts from the example here were written around the time of the siege of Antioch, perhaps the darkest moment of the entire three-year campaign. This letter was translated into English: For on the very day on which they had promised that they would surrender, Solomon and all the Turks, collected from neighboring and distant regions, suddenly fell upon us and attempted to capture our camp. However the counts of St. Gilles, with the remaining Franks, made an attack upon them and killed an innumerable multitude. All the others fled in confusion. Our men, moreover, returning in victory and bearing many heads fixed upon pikes and spears, furnished a joyful spectacle for the people of God" The results of the Crusades are difficult to assess. In religious terms, they hardened Muslim attitudes toward Christians. At the same time, doubts were raised among Christians about God's will and the church's authority. Overall, how Pope Urban organized the Crusades was ingenious in itself. Yet the way the men were treated during the crusades was extremely horrific. I don't necessarily think that Urban new what he was getting into by having his bishops spread the word. However, the word was mainly spread by the effective preaching done by the poorer men and by such people as Robert of Abrissal who was the founder of the Order of Fontevrualt. It might have been even better if fewer great lords had answered Popes Urbans' appeal. That way everything could have been a little more organized and his men wouldn't have gone through the hell they did. The Crusades continued many years after Pope Urban originally lead them to Constantinople. Needless to say, the Mediterranean developed a knack for warfare. In all the Crusades helped some religions, but they killed many to do this. If it was God's will that these people go on these crusades then was it God's will to kill these people? I still see the Crusades today, as a changing point in world history. These people, although they were partially tricked, decided that it was time for something to change and they did it. Even though it was about 800 years ago, it still sticks out as a turning point in history. While completing this project, I've learned more about the Crusades and their importance throughout our history. I've also learned that in everything there is a secret meaning and lesson to be learned.
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