Religious Conflict and Warfare:The Age of the Crusades
Terms:• Pilgrimage= iter or peregrinatio (Latin)
pelerinage (French)• Holy War = bellum sacrum
guerre sainte• Expedition of the cross = expeditio crucis• Takers of the cross = cruces signati
Justification for Warfare
Just war principles established by St. Augustine in the 5th century
War must• Have a just cause based on past or present
aggression (causa justa)• Be authorized by legitimate authority (auctoritas
principis)• Be waged for right intention (intentio rectus)
– Must be only practical alternative– Participants must have pure motives
Prelude to the Crusades
Important events:• Arab conquests 7th & 8th centuries• Conversion of the Turks to Islam• Collapse of Abbasid dynasty c. 950• Battle of Manzikert in 1071
•Loss of Anatolia• Alexius’ letter to Pope Urban asking for help
regaining lost territory• Council of Clermont, 1095
Key Personalities
Alexius I Comnenus (1081-1118)Pope Urban II (1088-1099)Godfrey de Bouillon, duke of Lower LorraineBaldwin of Bourg, his brotherRaymond of St. Gilles, count of ToulouseBohemond of Otranto Robert Curthose, duke of NormandyStephen of Blois, count of AnjouPeter the Hermit
First Crusade 1096–1099
• Conditions for a valid Crusade– Authorized only by pope (legitimate authority or
auctoritas principis)– Crusader vow (votum)
• Cross sewed on clothing, signifying vow– Privileges
• Indulgence (spiritual reward for danger of journey)
• Protection of church (clerical status)• Immunity from seizure (lands, chattels)• Freedom from tolls or obligations
– Excommunication for failure to fulfill vow
First Crusade 1096–1099
Byzantine Empire under attack from Muslim Turks
1071 – Battle of Manzikert, Turks seize Anatolia
1094 – Alexis I appealed to Pope Urban II for help
1095 – Urban II’s speech at Clermont 1096 – Peasants’ Crusade (unofficial)1096 – Official crusade launched1099 – Crusaders capture Jerusalem
Second Crusade 1147–1149
1147 – Muslims defeat Europeans at Edessa, which catalyzed the 2nd Crusade
Preached by Bernard of ClarivauxFoolish decisions lead to disaster for the
crusadersCrusades now included an expansionist mission
in addition to a pilgrimage Origin of Military Orders: Templars,
Hospitalers, Teutonic Knights
Crusader States: Outremer, 1099–1187
• County of Eddessa, founded by Baldwin of Boulogne (1097–1144)
• Principality of Antioch, founded by Bohemond of Sicily (1098)
• Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099–1187)
• County of Tripoli, founded by Raymond of St. Giles (1102)
Third Crusade 1188–1192
Muslim leader Saladin reconquers Egypt and most crusading states
1187 – Conquers Jerusalem, which precipitated the Third Crusade
Byzantium makes a pact with Saladin Leaders: Richard I of England
Philip II (Augustus) of FranceFrederick I (Barbarossa), Holy
Roman EmperorCrusade disintegrated through lack of cooperation
Fourth Crusade 1202–1204
Pope Innocent III organized crusade under papal auspices
Crusaders never reached the Holy LandDiverted by Venetians to Zara
Byzantium victim of the 4th CrusadeCause: dynastic intrigue & greed
1204: Crusaders sacked Constantinople