Crusades Flashcards
Causes of the First Crusade: Byzantium
After the Battle of Manzikert 1071, the Seljuks defeated the Byzantine’s disastrously, taking lands including almost all of Asia Minor, showed no signs of slowing towards Constantinople. Seljuks began to obstruct Christians on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Nicaea and Antioch were lost in 1081 and 1086 respectively, histories that were famous in the West for their historical significance.
Alexius requested help from Pope Urban II by sending envoys to the Council of Piacenza in March 1095. Urban responded by preaching a sermon urging westerners to help. On the subsequent preaching tours, some accounts tell us that a war was called for to liberate Eastern Christians, and to unite the Eastern and Western Churches
Causes of the First Crusade Pope Urban II
Urban and Alexios had been in close contact from 1089 and had entered discussions over the prospect of unifying the eastern and western churches. He accepted Alexius’ appeal at the 1095 Council of Piacenza.
Urban conducted a preaching tour in France for a year, presiding over the Councils of Clermont (1095), Marmautier (March 1096), Nimes (July 1096). This was a powerful incentive and a dramatic spectacle for recruitment.
Urban preached the cross at Clermont, Limoges, Angers etc. He presided over cross-taking ceremonies at Tours. He convinced Adhemar of Le Puy and Raymond IV to join, who helped to influence others.
Urban celebrated the Feast of Assumption at a shrine to Mary at Le Puy, and celebrated the Feasts of St Giles and St Hilary. He wrote to Flanders and Bologna asking inhabitants to join.
Formation of the crusader vow: crusaders would become temporary clergymen, in that lands, property and family would be protected by the Church. Crusaders would be exempt from legal prosecution apart from under church law. They did not have to pay taxes, interest or debts when on Crusade. Indulgences were offered, crusaders were absolved of their sins for taking part
Causes of the First Crusade: papal authority
In the 11th century, the Papal Reform Movement sought to restore the power of the papacy after the 10th century fragmentation of power. 1075 Investiture Contest had led to the appointment of Antipope Clermont III over a dispute with the Holy Roman Empire. The Crusade would demonstrate the moral and spiritual power of the Papacy and reunite the Orthodox Church with the Western Church.
Causes of the First Crusade: Religious Zeal
Increase in popular piety in the 10th and 11th centuries. Pilgrimages increased. 1064 Bishop Gunther of Bamberg led 7,000 pilgrims to Jerusalem. The pilgrimage was a blueprint for the crusade.
1096 charter from Cluny shows that Archard of Montmerle promised to give his land to the Abbey if he died on pilgrimage.
Raymond of Toulouse was old and rich and had nothing to gain materially from pilgrimage. Godfrey of Bouillon mortgaged his lands before going at great economic risk.
The focus on Jerusalem, the holiest site for Christians, was a prime motivating factor. Crusaders were horrified by tales of Muslim violence, Urban made much of liberating Jerusalem in his speech.
Just War Theory had previously meant any secular wars that were self-defensive and to recover lost territory. Scholars developed this theory in the 11th century claiming that the Church and the Pope could summon soldiers to fight heathens, and that this was a form of martyrdom Gregory VII preached penitential warfare, claiming that war for God was virtuous. Urban brought toether the idea of holy war and pilgrimage.
The people’s crusade drew 15,000 people, mostly poor
Evidence of poor relations with Byzantium, First Crusade
People’s Crusade plundered the area around Constantinople, led to Byzantine Emperor becoming suspicious of the main crusading army.
When the main army arrived in Constantinople in November 1096, there were problems of discipline in the ranks. Furthermore, Bohemond was an old enemy of the Byzantines. Raymond refused to take the oath of allegiance to Alexius. In the following negotiations, the Byzantines threatened to withdraw supplies.
Crusaders were dissapointed that the Byzantines did not provide any military support.
Why was Nicaea an important city?
It had been captured by the Seljuks in 1081 and was the capital of Seljuk Sultan, Kilij Arslan. It was a famous city as it was the site of some early church councils. It contained Seljuk treasure. It controlled the main route through the East.
How was Nicaea taken?
Muslim divisions: Siege began in May 1097 and ended in June. Kilij Arslan was away fighting the Danishmends. He returned but found the entrance to the city blocked.
Byzantine support: Byzantines joined the force in mid-June. Alexius sent ships overland to blockade the lake, which was the source for resupply for the inhabitants.
What were the consequences of the capture of Nicaea?
Alexius wouldn’t let the crusaders into Nicaea to plunder it, as it was now Byzantine territory. Crusaders were given presents but the Crusaders were dissapointed and trust declined further.
Evidence for good relations with Byzantium, First Crusade
Troops were quartered outside Constantinople in the suburbs. Leaders were lavished with rich gifts. The oath, to return captured lands to Byzantium that had previously belonged to them, and to obey Alexius as overlord, was agreed to by Godfrey, Hugh of Vermandois, Robert of Normandy, Bohemond.
Reasons for victory at the Battle of Dorylaeum
June 1097. Bohemond held ranks together tightly, preventing the Turks’ attack. The Turks were surprised by the arrival of a second contingent led by Godfrey and Raymond. Adhemar performed a successful outflanking manoeuvre.
What were the consequences of the Battle of Dorylaeum?
The Sultan, Kilij Arslan was defeated.
The route to Anatolia and the East was opened.
What was the importance of Baldwin’s venture into Armenia?
Showed crusader divisions: Tancred and Baldwin’s armies clash over the deaths of a contingent of Norman knights, who Baldwin refused to let into Tarsus, and were then slaughtered by the Turks.
Evidence for the importance of Orthodox support: Christian Armenians welcomed Crusader support against Muslims. Baldwin was seen as a liberator. Thoros, the ruler of the area, invited Baldwin to Edessa and took on Baldwin as his adopted son.
County of Edessa formed in March 1098. The city’s rich treasury enabled him to employ mercenaries and to buy Samosata. dessa strengthened the position of the main crusader army later at Antioch. The lands along the Euphrates secured a supply of food for the crusaders, and the fortresses hindered the movement of the Seljuk troops
Evidence for Muslim disunity: He bought Samosata from Balduk through diplomacy.
Why was Antioch difficult to take?
Powerful ring of walls, formidable citadel high above the main settlement, well provisioned, mountains and rivers provided a barrier.
Winter set in, which was bitterly cold. City was too big to blockade effectively. Crusaders ran short of food and had to mount increasingly lengthy foraging expeditions to get food. Horses died, and the cost of food inflated.
Divisions over Bohemond’s wish to keep Antioch, causing conflict between him and Raymond, who did not want to break his oath.
When the crusaders took Antioch, they were besieged by forces from Mosul. Famine and disease set in for 26 days. Stephen of Blois deserted
When Stephen retreated across Asia Minor, he met Alexius who was coming to the aid of the Crusaders but convinced him to turn back. Bohemond claimed the Byzantines had broken their agreement to provide military support, so the oath was now invalid.
How did the Crusaders manage to succeed at Antioch?
Religious conviction. Adhemar proclaimed a 3 day fast, banned sex, gambling and swearing in an attempt to pull the expedition together and regain God’s support.
A pilgrim claimed to have a vision in which St. Andrew revealed the location of the Holy Lance (which had pierced Christ’s side in the crucifixion).
St. Andrew promised that whoever carried it in battle would triumph. On the 14th of June 1098 the relic was discovered.
Bohemond was able to plot with a renegade Armenian to betray Antioch to the Crusaders. On the 3rd of June they took the outer shell of Antioch.
Consequences of Antioch
Bohemond able to establish his principality, breaking his oath.
Greeks intended to re-establish their influence in the area so were obviously frustrated and led to poor relations in the future between Antioch and Byzantium.
Problems during the capture of Jerusalem
December 1098 siege began of Ma’arrat an Nu’man. Supplies became a problem again + there were reports of cannibalism. First months of 1099 marked by quarrels between leaders and a pressure from army who wanted to press on to Jerusalem to fulfil their vows to God.
How were the crusaders able to take Jerusalem?
piritual strength renewed by the fact they were so close to their goal.
Fast proclaimed for 8 July 1099 and barefoot, carrying relics, the bishops + clergy led army to Mount of Olives and begged for God’s help.
15th of July 1099 Godfrey’s men filled the moat and crossed onto the ramparts, entering the city.
