Crusade

Crusade

The Crusades were a series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period, primarily against Islamic states in the Middle East. The most commonly known Crusades are those to the Holy Land in the period between 1096 and 1291, which were intended to recover Jerusalem and its surrounding area from Muslim rule.

Background

The origin of the Crusades can be traced back to the rise of the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century, who took control of much of the Byzantine Empire's territory in Anatolia and threatened the Eastern Orthodox Church. In response, Pope Urban II called for a military expedition to aid the Byzantines and reclaim the Holy Land for Christianity.

Major Crusades

First Crusade (1096–1099)

The First Crusade was launched in 1096 and resulted in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099. It established several Crusader states in the Levant, including the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Second Crusade (1147–1150)

The Second Crusade was called in response to the fall of the County of Edessa in 1144. It was led by King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of Germany, but ultimately failed to achieve its goals.

Third Crusade (1189–1192)

The Third Crusade was launched after the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187. It was led by Richard the Lionheart, Philip II of France, and Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor. Although it failed to recapture Jerusalem, it resulted in a treaty that allowed Christian pilgrims access to the city.

Fourth Crusade (1202–1204)

The Fourth Crusade was diverted from its original goal and resulted in the sack of Constantinople in 1204, leading to the establishment of the Latin Empire.

Impact

The Crusades had a profound impact on the history of both Europe and the Middle East. They contributed to the end of feudalism, the rise of centralized monarchies, and the expansion of trade and cultural exchanges between the East and West. The Crusades also left a legacy of religious tension and conflict that persists to this day.

See also

• Knights Templar
• Teutonic Knights
• Reconquista
• Albigensian Crusade

References

• Riley-Smith, Jonathan. The Crusades: A History. Yale University Press, 2005.
• Tyerman, Christopher. God's War: A New History of the Crusades. Belknap Press, 2006.