The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims, focusing on the control of Jerusalem and other Holy Places in Palestine. Jerusalem was incredibly important to Christians because it was the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and burial. For centuries, Christian pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem to visit these sacred sites, which were controlled by Muslim rulers.
Why Jerusalem Was Important
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem commemorated the hill where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where he was buried. For Christians, a pilgrimage to Jerusalem was seen as a holy journey, bringing blessings from the Church and Heaven. Despite being under Muslim rule, Christian pilgrims were allowed safe passage to visit these holy sites for many years.
The Changing Situation in Jerusalem
In 1065, the situation changed when the city of Jerusalem was taken over by the Seljuk Turks, who came from Persia(modern-day Iran). The Turks treated the Christian pilgrims harshly, and 3,000 Christian pilgrims were killed. This treatment outraged Christians across Europe, sparking the desire to take back Jerusalem from the Muslims, who were seen as “infidels.”
The Massacre of Pilgrims
Before the Seljuk Turks took over, Muslim rulers (called Saracen caliphs) generally allowed Christian pilgrims to visit Jerusalem without problems. The Saracens even encouraged pilgrimages because they benefited from the money that pilgrims spent during their visits. However, once the Seljuk Turks gained control, they persecuted and mistreated the Christian visitors. Churches in Jerusalem were destroyed or turned into stables, and Christian pilgrims were often insulted and attacked.
Religious Conviction
The religious desire to protect the Holy Land played a major role in the cause of the Crusades. Many Christians believed it was their duty not just to visit the Holy Sepulchre but to rescue it from the hands of the Muslims. This belief turned pilgrims into warriors, leading to two centuries of religious conflict known as the Crusades.
The Instinct to Fight
Along with religious conviction, there was another reason for the Crusades—many knights and lords of medieval Europe were eager for adventure and battle. These feudal warriors were often looking for new ways to prove their bravery and chivalry. The Crusades gave them the perfect opportunity to fight for a holy cause while also satisfying their love for combat.
Peter the Hermit’s Preaching
The immediate cause of the First Crusade was the preaching of Peter the Hermit, a monk from France. Pope Urban II asked Peter to travel around Italy and France, delivering speeches about the mistreatment of Christians in the Holy Land. Peter’s emotional and powerful speeches moved many people, who became determined to take up arms and defend Christianity. He described the terrible things that had happened to Christian pilgrims and called for a holy warto take back Jerusalem.
The Growing Threat of the Turks
While Peter the Hermit was inspiring people in the West, the Seljuk Turks were expanding their power in the East. They were pushing closer to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Fearing an invasion, the Byzantine emperor, Alexius I Comnenus, asked Pope Urban II for help. He warned that if Christian armies didn’t act soon, Constantinople and all its Christian relics would fall into the hands of the Turks.
Pope Urban II and the Council of Clermont
In 1095, Pope Urban II held a council in Clermont, France, to gather support for a Crusade. He delivered one of the most famous speeches in history, urging Christians to unite and fight to reclaim the Holy Land. He spoke of the suffering of Christians in the East, the defilement of holy places, and the threat of the Turks. His passionate words inspired the crowd, who shouted, “Deus vult!” meaning “It is the will of God!” Thousands of people immediately vowed to go to war, sewing crosses onto their clothing as a symbol of their commitment.
“It Is the Will of God”
In his speech, Pope Urban II called on Christians to leave behind their homes, families, and wealth to serve God. He promised that those who joined the Crusade would be rewarded with eternal life. The first Crusade was set to begin in August 1096, and it was led by famous knights like Godfrey of Bouillon and Tancred.