The The CrusadesCrusades

A Religious A Religious Journey Journey

(Pilgrimage) (Pilgrimage) to freedomto freedom

The MythThe Myth

The crusades were wars of unprovoked The crusades were wars of unprovoked aggression against a peaceful, enlightened aggression against a peaceful, enlightened Muslim worldMuslim world

Crusaders were bloodthirsty villains, hungry Crusaders were bloodthirsty villains, hungry for money, power and landfor money, power and land

Key Figures of the First CrusadeKey Figures of the First Crusade The first crusade was launched by Pope Urban II. The first crusade was launched by Pope Urban II.

He made the following speech:He made the following speech:

““God himself will lead them, for they will be God himself will lead them, for they will be doing His work. There will be absolution and doing His work. There will be absolution and remission of sins for all who die in the service remission of sins for all who die in the service of Christ. Here they are poor and miserable of Christ. Here they are poor and miserable sinners; there they will be rich and happy. Let sinners; there they will be rich and happy. Let none hesitate; they must march next summer. God none hesitate; they must march next summer. God wills it!”wills it!”

GOD WILLS IT!GOD WILLS IT!

““Deus Vult” – or “God wills it!” became the Deus Vult” – or “God wills it!” became the

battle cry of the Crusades! battle cry of the Crusades!

Problems faced by the First Crusade:Problems faced by the First Crusade:

No single leaderNo single leaderNo chain of commandNo chain of commandNo supply linesNo supply linesNo detailed strategyNo detailed strategy

The Path of the First Crusade The Path of the First Crusade

The First Crusade was a success…The First Crusade was a success…

The Crusader States after the First CrusadeThe Crusader States after the First Crusade

The Strategic The Strategic Problem…Problem…

Syrian belt

To MeccaTo Egypt

To big chunk of Muslim empire

The First Crusade avoided Aleppo and Damascus, missing the opportunity to cut the Muslim empire in half.

In the long run this meant the Crusades were doomed.

What happened after the First What happened after the First Crusade?Crusade?

County of Edessa fell to the Turks and Kurds in County of Edessa fell to the Turks and Kurds in 1144.1144.

Second Crusade, 1145–1149, French and Second Crusade, 1145–1149, French and German armies, failed miserably.German armies, failed miserably.

Battle of Hattin, 1187: Saladin’s unified army Battle of Hattin, 1187: Saladin’s unified army (100,000) met the combined armies of the (100,000) met the combined armies of the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem (<20,000)Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem (<20,000)

The March to HattinThe March to Hattin

Crusader army was wiped outCrusader army was wiped out Jerusalem surrendered not long after Jerusalem surrendered not long after (Chapter 32)(Chapter 32)

ConclusionConclusion The Crusades were not an example of Christian aggression. The Crusades were not an example of Christian aggression.

They were a series of just wars in response to Muslim conquest.They were a series of just wars in response to Muslim conquest. Crusaders weren't in it to get rich, or for a bit of sport, killing, Crusaders weren't in it to get rich, or for a bit of sport, killing,

robbing and pillaging in a faraway land. robbing and pillaging in a faraway land. The Sack of Jerusalem and the Sack of Constantinople were The Sack of Jerusalem and the Sack of Constantinople were

badbad and can’t be excused (although there were atrocities the and can’t be excused (although there were atrocities the other way too).other way too).

Overall, the Crusading effort in the Holy Land was a failure.Overall, the Crusading effort in the Holy Land was a failure. By the 16th century, the battleground of the Crusades was By the 16th century, the battleground of the Crusades was

Europe itself (e.g. Lepanto [Greece], Vienna), as Christian Europe itself (e.g. Lepanto [Greece], Vienna), as Christian civilisation fought for survival. civilisation fought for survival.

Eventually, Christendom won, but it was more through Eventually, Christendom won, but it was more through economic development than military might.economic development than military might.

The Kingdom of HeavenThe Kingdom of Heaven Not just the thugs everyone thought!Not just the thugs everyone thought!

Chapter 21!Chapter 21!