The CrusadesThe Crusades

DO NOW: Below is a painting of Pope Urban II calling for a crusade to the Middle East to expel Muslims from Jerusalem. Religious reasons aside, why, do you think, Urban II would have called for a crusade?

Consider: If you are the Pope, how do you get thousands of people to travel thousands of miles and risk their lives by going to war?

Who do you think is going to be the real political winner because of the Crusades – the kings or the Pope? Why?

Calling for a Crusade!

What were the Crusades?What were the Crusades?1. The Crusades began as a result

of the Seljuk Turks (Muslims) take over of the Holy Lands from the Byzantine Empire in the early 11th century

2. The Byzantine Emperor asked Pope Urban II of the Roman Catholic Church to help regain these lands for the Christians.

3. The Pope agreed, and over the course of two centuries, thousands of men and women left Western Europe to fight to regain these lands.

4. After initial success, which resulted in the takeover of Jerusalem, the rest of the crusades ultimately failed in their original purpose.

Why did Pope Urban II call for a Why did Pope Urban II call for a Crusade? (What did he hope to Crusade? (What did he hope to

gain?)gain?)• To unite European Christians in a common cause

• To make the kings and noble vassals under his spiritual leadership

• To subject the Eastern orthodox churches to Rome

• To return the Holy Lands to Christian control Pope hoped it would re-unite Pope hoped it would re-unite

2 branches of Christianity2 branches of Christianity Increase prestige of ChurchIncrease prestige of Church Reduce warfare at home: Reduce warfare at home:

have knights fight Muslims, have knights fight Muslims, not each othernot each other

Why did people go on Crusades?Why did people go on Crusades?

1. Why did Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom) decide to go on the Crusades?

Kingdom of Heaven

Why did people go on Crusades?Why did people go on Crusades?

1. Religious convictions--they viewed the Holy Lands as rightfully theirs, and, in a Holy War, dying for the cause led to salvation.

2. The kings and nobles saw the opportunity for glory at home and the power of landholdings in the Middle East.

Why did people go on Crusades?Why did people go on Crusades?

3. Merchants saw a chance for quick gain and a chance for trade expansion.

4. The lower classes could: (a) have their taxes canceled or paid by the church; (b) avoid jail by going; (c) plunder for personal gain.

Any knight that fought in the Crusades:Any knight that fought in the Crusades:• Had his sins forgivenHad his sins forgiven• Anyone who died gained salvation and went to Anyone who died gained salvation and went to heavenheaven• Had debts wiped outHad debts wiped out• Exempt from Exempt from taxestaxes• Rumors of many riches in PalestineRumors of many riches in Palestine

Fight for the Holy Land…Fight for the Holy Land…

• The crusades were The crusades were a SERIES of battles a SERIES of battles for control of the for control of the Holy Land. Holy Land.

• Christians and Christians and Muslims battle back Muslims battle back and forth for the and forth for the land. land. Eventually taken Eventually taken back by the Muslims.back by the Muslims.

The odd man out!

Fight for the Holy Land…Fight for the Holy Land…

SaladinSaladin

Saladin was a great Muslim leader. His real name was Salah al-Din Yusuf. He united and led the Muslim world and in 1187, he

recaptured Jerusalem for the Muslims after defeating the King of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin near the Lake of Galilee. When his soldiers entered the city of Jerusalem, they were not allowed

to kill civilians, rob people or damage the city. The more successful Saladin was, the more he was seen by the Muslims as

being their natural leader.

Richard the LionheartRichard the Lionheart

The Christians of Western Europe were stunned by the success of Saladin. The pope,

Gregory VIII, ordered another crusade immediately to regain the Holy City for the Christians. This was the start of the Third

Crusade and was led by King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart). It was to last from

1189 to 1192.

In July 1191, Richard was able to capture the port city of Acre.

While in control of Acre, the Christians massacred 2000 Muslim soldiers who they had captured. Saladin had agreed to pay a ransom for them but somehow there was a breakdown in the  process of payment and

Richard ordered their execution.

 Both sides fought at the Battle of Arsur in September 1191. Richard won but he delayed his attack on

Jerusalem as he knew that his army needed to rest.  

  However, by now even Richard the Lionheart was suffering. He had a fever and appealed to his enemy Saladin to send him fresh water and fresh fruit. Saladin did just this - sending frozen snow to

the Crusaders to be used as water and fresh fruit. Why would

Saladin do this?

Richard was determined to get to Jerusalem and he was prepared to take on Saladin. The Crusaders kept as near to the coast as possible

to allow ships to supply them. It was also slightly cooler with a coastal breeze. Regardless of this, the Christians suffered badly from the heat

and lack of fresh water. At night when the Crusaders tried to rest, they were plagued by tarantulas. Their bites were poisonous and very

painful.

First, I am a very devout Muslim. One of the main beliefs of Islam is that Muslims should help those in need. Secondly, I used this opportunity to send my men into Richard's camp with the supplies and spy on what he had in terms of soldiers, equipment etc.

What they found was that I only had 2,000 fit soldiers and 50 fit knights to use in battle. With such a small force, I could not hope to take Jerusalem. Perhaps I should make a

truce with Saladin?

Okay, Let’s make a truce! Acre can remain a Christian controlled port but Jerusalem will remain

under the Muslim control. However, Christian pilgrims from the west will be allowed to visit

Jerusalem without being troubled by any Muslims.

Agreed!

Why Did the Crusades Fail?Why Did the Crusades Fail?

1. There was never a supreme commander; power struggles between kings, knights, and nobles led to disunity.

2. Poor tactics and strategy and the inability to adapt to military methods suitable from the region and the enemy.

3. Lack of geographical knowledge.

The Crusaders thirsting for water before the battle of

hattin.

Why Did the Crusades Fail?Why Did the Crusades Fail?

4. Refusal to swear allegiance to Byzantine emperor and receive his support and information.

5. Difficulties in maintaining supplies led to "barbarian' acts by civilized Europeans.

6. They established a castle defense only along the coast and never incorporated the allegiance of the local people.

Entry of the Crusaders into Constantinople on 12 April 1204

Later CrusadesLater Crusades

Earliest Earliest Crusaders TRULY Crusaders TRULY intended to fight intended to fight for God/Churchfor God/Church

Later Crusades Later Crusades were about greed were about greed and politics and politics

Crusaders Crusaders attacked trade attacked trade rivals and looted rivals and looted churcheschurches

Social, Economic, Social, Economic, and Political and Political

ChangesChanges

Improved status of Improved status of women women

Later Crusades Later Crusades hurt hurt image of church. image of church.

FeudalismFeudalism declined declined because power became because power became more centralized. more centralized.

The power of individual The power of individual kings kings increasedincreased and and lesser kings decreased. lesser kings decreased.

Increased Increased cultural cultural diffusion and trade. diffusion and trade.

New products were New products were introduced introduced

Trade Trade and exploration and exploration increasedincreased

Results of Results of the the

CrusadesCrusades

1. Stimulated Trade 1. Stimulated Trade a. a. TownsTowns grew on size and importance grew on size and importance

b. New products plus greater mobilityb. New products plus greater mobility 2. Strengthened the Kings or Centralized Power 2. Strengthened the Kings or Centralized Power a. While kings and their knights were away fighting their territory was a. While kings and their knights were away fighting their territory was

confiscated or conquered by a few left behind consolidating the territory under a confiscated or conquered by a few left behind consolidating the territory under a few kings instead of many.few kings instead of many.

3. Weakened Serfdom 3. Weakened Serfdom a. a. Serfs Serfs gained their freedom on the crusades and while their masters were away gained their freedom on the crusades and while their masters were away

or killed moved into the manor or to the new towns or killed moved into the manor or to the new towns b. New town laws changed the base of power from the nobles to the leaders of b. New town laws changed the base of power from the nobles to the leaders of the townthe town

4. Encouraged 4. Encouraged learning. learning.

The Crusades: 1095-1272

Life Before the Turning Point

Europe was in the Dark Ages. There was little trade and lack of education. Serfs worked the land

and did not leave their manor. The Church dominated socially and politically.

Turning Point

Pope Urban II called for all Christians to unite and fight the Muslims to regain control of the Holy lands.

Effects/Changes/Impact

After four Crusades, the Muslims won control of the Holy lands. However, the crusades resulted in increased trade in

Europe and the development of towns. Trade routes needed to be protected, which led to the rise of power of

Kings and the decrease of power of the nobles.

Life After the CrusadesLife After the Crusades