1.2 Why did the situation in western Europe encourage crusading? Flashcards
What were the main motivations for the Crusades?
The main motivations included:
* Papal eagerness to lead a crusading movement
* Threat of Islam to Christianity
* Protecting Byzantium
* Theoretical issues like Just War, Peace of God, and Truce of God
* Practical motives such as bolstering papal power and defeating Muslims
What was the Just War theory?
Just War theory justifies war under certain conditions, including:
* A just cause
* Defense or recovery of rightful possessions
* Sanctioned by legitimate authority
* Right intentions of those fighting
Who were some historical figures associated with the concept of Just War?
Historical figures include:
* Joshua
* King David
* Judas Maccabeus
* Aristotle
* Livy
* Cicero
* Augustine of Hippo
What is the significance of the Peace of God and Truce of God movements?
They aimed to reduce violence among nobles and restore some order in a chaotic feudal society. These movements were instigated by the Catholic Church.
Fill in the blank: The offer from the Church to shorten time in Hell by undertaking _______ appealed to many.
[crusades]
True or False: The Church had little influence over people’s lives during the time of the Crusades.
False
What was the role of the papacy in the Crusades?
The papacy sought to lead the crusading movement to reinforce its power and address the Islamic threat to Christianity.
What was the impact of the collapse of the Roman Empire on the concept of Just War?
It made it difficult for Christian warriors to believe God was on their side, yet the notion of Just War persisted among successors like Charlemagne.
What events led to the emergence of a feudal society in France?
The division of Charlemagne’s empire among his heirs caused rivalry and poor governance, leading to local lords building castles and trying to maintain order.
Fill in the blank: The idea of a Just War was derived from sources including the Bible, Aristotle, and _______.
[early Christian writers]
What was a major issue regarding pilgrimage that influenced the Crusades?
The right of pilgrimage to holy places was threatened by the advance of the Turks.
What characterized the lives of people in Western Europe during the Crusades?
Their lives were often short and brutal, with a real fear of Hell influencing their decisions.
What was the Pax et Treuga Dei and its purpose?
It was the Peace and Truce of God aimed at reducing violence among nobles and restoring order.
Fill in the blank: Augustine of Hippo defined four essential characteristics of a Just War, including just cause and _______.
[right intentions of those who fight]
How did the Church benefit from the support of warriors like Charlemagne?
Warriors founded monasteries and gave lavish gifts to the Church, seeking to make up for their brutal lives.
What fears were heightened by the approach of the year 1000?
The expectation of an apocalyptic event heightened anxieties among local lords.
What is the True Cross?
Believed to be the cross on which Christ had been crucified, found by Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, around 327.
Define ‘Relic’.
A body part or a belonging from a holy person, kept as an object of reverence.
What was the Pax Dei?
A peace proclaimed by local bishops stating that those who could not defend themselves were not to be attacked.
What was the punishment for infringing the Pax Dei?
Excommunication, which could be removed if offenders provided reparation.
What was the Truce of God?
Initially a temporary ban on fighting, later forbidding hostilities during specific times such as Advent and Lent.
How many days were available for fighting each year due to the Truce of God?
80 days.
What were the aims of the Just War and Peace and Truce of God movements?
To persuade Christians to go on crusades.
What historical event led to the destruction of much of Jerusalem?
The destruction by the Romans in AD 70.
Which sites became popular pilgrimage destinations after the conversion of Emperor Constantine?
- The cave at Bethlehem
- The Mount of Olives
- The Garden of Gethsemane
What was the significance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?
Built on the site of Christ’s burial, it became a major pilgrimage destination.
Who was Saint Jerome?
A Christian scholar who lived in Bethlehem and attracted many disciples.
What did the practice of pilgrimage promise to believers?
Spiritual virtue and potential pardon for sins.
What was the role of the Abbey of Cluny in pilgrimage?
It encouraged pilgrimage and recorded the number of pilgrims.
What was the situation in the Byzantine Empire regarding pilgrimage by the tenth century?
The Byzantine Empire controlled the Balkans, making overland pilgrimage routes safer.
What are ‘retinues’?
Followers such as guards, soldiers, and servants of a lord.
What is an anti-pope?
A rival pope elected by opponents of a current pope.
What does ‘papacy’ refer to?
The realm and influence of the popes, heads of the Roman Catholic Church.
What document supported the pope’s power over western Europe?
The Donation of Constantine.
True or False: The Donation of Constantine was a genuine document.
False.
What was the Investiture Contest?
A struggle between the papacy and monarchs over the appointment of church officials.
Who was Pope Gregory VII?
A pope who insisted on recognition of papal rights and engaged in the Investiture Contest.
What was the Militia of Saint Peter?
A military force recruited by Pope Gregory VII offering absolution and salvation.
