The Crusades, a Series of Religious Wars
The Crusades were a series of religious wars that were fought to take control of the “Holy Land” Jerusalem. This is how the first Crusade started.
1st Crusade,
In 1095 A.D. Pope Urban II made a speech in Clermont, France, that convinced many people to go and fight to free Jerusalem from the rule of the Fatimids ( The Fatimids were a group of people who ruled Jerusalem and some other areas around it.) They were also known as Muslims. They were called Fatimids because the prophet of Islam (Muhammad) named his daughter Fatima. At the time of the First Crusade people were very enthusiastic about going to Jerusalem to fight. In fact, many people went straight to Jerusalem, before the main army of knights was organized. The reason that people were so exited about this journey is because Pope Urban II promised anyone who went on this pilgrimage to Jerusalem would automatically be forgiven of their sins and sent to heaven. Many people who left before the main army, unfortunately died along the way because they lacked supplies and protection. In 1096 A.D. The main group of crusaders left for Jerusalem. In 1098, the main group of crusaders reached Jerusalem. There was a big fight at Jerusalem, but the Crusaders finally conquered. It took fifteen days of fighting to capture the city. It was a big victory for the Europeans. The first Crusade was a success. View this web page for more information on the First Crusade. http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/history/highmiddle/bernard.htm
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2nd Crusade
The Second Crusade was not so successful. After the first Crusade, the Fatimids were very angry, because the Crusaders captured Their home, Jerusalem. In 1144, a Mamluk (slave warrior) General named Imad-ed-din Zangi united enough Arabs and Turks to attack multiple Christian kingdoms. The general did not take over Jerusalem, however he did take the nearby city of Edessa. This action by the Arabs and Turks sparked the Second Crusade. Christians were very angry that the Arabs and Turks had taken over Edessa. Pope Urban II told Bernard of Clairvaux to preach a second crusade. He told him this because he wanted the Christians to take back Edessa. Many people agreed to this. One person who was a big help in this was Conrad III of Germany. He agreed to fight with the Crusaders. He also had a large army. This crusade was not successful though. The Crusaders were not able to take back Edessa. Most of Conrad III soldiers were killed while they marched through Turkey. These are only two of eight crusades. Each one of them has its own story. Look at other pages to read about more. And for more information about Bernard of Clairvaux visit this website! http://www.osb.org/cist/bern.html |
After the First CrusadeWhen the wars and wildness settled down after the First crusade, Four new kingdoms were set up in Palestine. These kingdoms were sometimes known as "Crusader States". The kingdoms were: Jerusalem, Antioch, Tripoli and Edessa. These four kingdoms all together were known as Outremer. Muslim peasents worked on the lands of their Christian knight Masters. After a while, these Christians grew accustomed to ther new lifestyle. They enjoyed luxuries that they had never seen before like: beautiful furniture,delicate and plentiful food, persian carpets and wall hangings, soft cushions and warm water for washing the whole body. Even though they enjoyed their lives they never felt secure. Every day they risked getting ambushed by their Muslim peasents, assasinations, getting murdered by complete strangers or even by people they thought were their friends. They were also very afraid of Muslim uprisings or rebellions. This fear and other feelings lead into the Second Crusade.
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First Crusade Poem,
1000 or more years ago far, far away
Pope Urban II had something to say
"Who cares if there will be eight or seven"
" Do this with me and you'll get into heaven!"
The Christians obliged and went on their way
to the land of Jerusalem, miles away
After two years of walking they finally reached,
the land that Pope Urban II had preached
they fought and they fought and they fought and they fought
until finally VICTORY! the Crusaders had sought
enjoying their lives on their new home's path
The Crusaders enjoyed a luxurious warm bath...
Pope Urban II had something to say
"Who cares if there will be eight or seven"
" Do this with me and you'll get into heaven!"
The Christians obliged and went on their way
to the land of Jerusalem, miles away
After two years of walking they finally reached,
the land that Pope Urban II had preached
they fought and they fought and they fought and they fought
until finally VICTORY! the Crusaders had sought
enjoying their lives on their new home's path
The Crusaders enjoyed a luxurious warm bath...
How the Crusades Impact society Today
The religious wars that happened 1000 or more years ago still play a role in our society today. In places like the Middle East and even the U.S. we still face problems like religious discrimination. An example of this discrimination today is the Israeli Palestinian conflict. The country of Israel has a official discrimination against non-Jews. the country is currently in favor of Jews. Many other conflicts just like this one are going on in many various places around the world. Some have even turned into religious wars, just like the Crusades! The Crusades definitely have had a large impact on society today in the form of religious conflict. Visit this website for more information on the Israeli Palestinian conflict. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/cur_sit/religion.html Also visit my friends page for further information on the First and Second Crusades. http://awesomemiddleageshastings.weebly.com/-crusades-first-and-second---mason-ward.html
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