The Crusades
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The Crusades
In 1095 the Pope called upon Christians to undertake the first crusade and thousands of European Christians -- from princes and knights to ordinary pilgrims and peasants -- responded to his call.
Four years later the crusaders captured the city of Jerusalem and set up a Christian kingdom in Palestine which lasted for almost a hundred years, when, in 1187, it was recaptured by Muslim warrior, Saladin.
In 1192 there was a truce between Saladin and the Crusader leader, Richard I of England (Richard the Lion Heart).
Seven more crusades were launched over the years by the European Christians. Some Crusaders were inspired by religious fervor, others by the desire for land and wealth.
None of later Crusades were successful with most of Palestine remaining in Muslim hands; but links were formed between Christian countries and Muslim countries, trade routes were opened, and cultural influences flowed between the formerly implacable enemies.
Crusades: The Illustrated History
Crusades: The Illustrated History
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
"Crusades - The Illustrated History" is a refreshing and positive look at the faliable but devoted knights and kings of Christendom who deeply desired to see the holy sites of Christianity delivered from the hands of their unbelieving conquerors. It is eminently fair in its approach to historical facts. It also incorporates much new knowledge of the period.
Besides being a facinating account of the period, it is a beautifully designed book. Its sections are broken up into short studies with rich colored illustrations. You can read it in short stages, and absorb the material at leisure. It also shares the strength of a perspective shared by several historians, so you are aware that the research is not just one man's ideas but the fruit of much fresh information.
List of the Crusades
There were NINE main crusades -- but other lesser ones too
- First Crusade 1095-1099
- Siege of Jerusalem
- Crusade of 1101
- Norwegian Crusade 1107-1110
- Third Crusade 1187-1192
- Fourth Crusade 1202-1204
- Albigensian Crusade
- Children's Crusade
- Fifth Crusade 1217-1221
- Sixth Crusade 1228-1229
- Seventh Crusade 1248-1254
- Eighth Crusade 1270
- Ninth Crusade 1271-1272
- Northern Crusades
Siege of Antioch during the First Crusade
Crusader Knights versus Muslim Warriors
The Christian Crusaders came from all sorts of backgrounds -- thousands of poor pilgrims who joined the First Crusade to a small number of Knights mounted on horseback and, in between, thousands of foot soldiers.
The Knights were well equipped with shield, flat-top helmet and a coat of mail. They rode astride large stallions. As such, they were well prepared against the sword blows of the Muslims.
The Muslim Warriors were often of Seljuk Turkish background. The carried a sword, a round shield and rode swift mares.
Military Orders
Among the Christian crusaders were warriors from the military orders.
The military orders (which dated from the 12th century) comprised monks who not only took religious vows but also (unlike normal monks) carried arms and waged war against the Muslim.
These orders included:
the Knights of St. John (also known as the Hospitallers): These monks learned medical skills and cared for sick pilgrims and wounded crusaders. They finally set up a headquarters in Malta. Their emblem -- the Maltese Cross -- is today seen on ambulance vehicles in Western countries.
the Knights Templar: The Templars were a group of knights who protected Christian pilgrims. They later became a religious order and set up a base in the Holy Land in 1118.
Image: Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Templar Order. (Public domain image.)
More Books on the Crusades
Richard the Lionheart, the Christian leader in the Third Crusade
He put down rebellions in France against his father, King Henry II, and then was the main Christian leader (along Philip Augustus) of the Third Crusade. He won many victories against the Muslims (who were led by Saladin) but failed to capture Jerusalem.
On the way back to England, he was captured and put in prison in Austria and was only released after the payment of a huge ransom.
He spent most of his remaining years in France.
Even though Richard the Lionheart spent most of his life in France and spoke little English (he was a French speaker), he is still remembered and revered in Britain.
Saladin, the Muslim leader in the Third Crusade
He was the Sultan of Egypt and Syria and founded the Ayyubid dynasty. At one time he ruled most of modern day Palestine/Israel and Lebanon, as well as Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Hejaz, and Yemen.
He is best known in the West for successfully leading the Muslim armies against the Christians during the Third Crusade in many battles in the area that is now Syria, Lebanon and Palestine/Israel. He also captured Jerusalem and prevented Richard the Lionheart, the Christian leader, from taking it back.
Saladin was respected by his Christian opponents, including Richard the Lionheart, for his great chivalry.
Good Websites on the Crusades
- The Crusades
- "The Crusades were a series of wars undertaken professedly for the purpose of delivering the Holy Land from the dominion of the infidel, and so named from the cross worn as a badge by those who devoted themselves to the worn as a badge by those who devoted themselves to the enterprise..."
- Medieval Crusades
- Short history of the Crusades, with the biographies of the some of the main people involved.
- The Crusader and Ayyubid Period (1099-1250 CE)
- All about the food, costumes, people and places associated with the Crusades in Jerusalem.
Results of the Crusades
Good results included Muslim medical treatments, new fruits and new trade links
There were many bad results of the Crusades. The Crusades were a war which lasted around 200 years and the memory of them is a painful one still for both Christians and Muslims.
But there were some good results from the Crusades as well for the Christian world.
Muslim medical knowledge and skills were quite advanced. The Crusaders noticed this and brought back Muslim medical ideas to Europe when they returned. For example:
* use of herbs in medicine such as myrrh for curing infections and the balm of Gillead for chest and throat infections
* the writings of the great Arab physician, Avicenna (900-1037), whose book, The Canon of Medicine, was used in European universities until 1600)
New fruits and perfumes were also introduced from the Muslim world. Trading links were established between Europe and the Middle East that continue until today.
Image: Copy of The Canon of Medicine in Avicenna's tomb. (Photo: Coffeetalkh.)
Latest News on the Crusades
The Rulers and Military Leaders of the Crusades
