Revision Topic Sheet 19: The Second Crusade Flashcards
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How did Zengi’s capture of Edessa inspire another crusade?
It was seen as unjust since Edessa was part of the Crusader Kingdom, so Pope Eugenius II issued a new formal crusading bull that allowed for the protection of Crusader property under the Church, suspended legal action and debts against the Crusaders and the banning of extravagant armour to allow for equality between the soldiers.
Who was Louis VII and how did he respond to the crusading bull?
He was the King of France, and he responded to the crusading bull enthusiastically as he wanted to join the crusade to fulfill his dead brother Philip’s crusading vow, lift his excommunication from the Church and seek penance for the burning of the Church of Vitry in 1144.
What were the initial problems in setting up the Second Crusade?
- Bernard of Clairvaux wouldn’t support Louis VII as he only acted on the direct orders of Eugenius III.
- Jews were being attacked as infidels in Germany as a result of a Cistercian monk named Rudolf preaching hatred, and Bernard of Clairvaux was forced to go north and calm the situation.
- German King Conrad III wasn’t enthusiastic because of his insecure political position, but this changed in 1146 after he was persuaded by Bernard and because his rival Duke Welf VI of Bavaria had taken the crusading vow himself.
How did the Crusade become a Europe-wide expedition?
- Saxon princes of north-east Germany were given remission for sins for taking the crusading vow.
- Emperor Alfonso VII of Castille and Alfonso I of Portugal were given the crusader status as Alfonso helped capture the city of Lisbon from the Muslims in 1147.
- The English were persuaded by the bishop of Operto to join the siege of Lisbon as part of their crusading vow.
- Alfonso VII’s leadership of the Genoese led to the capture of the port of Tortosa in 1148.
How did Eugenius have the Second Crusade learn from the experiences of the First Crusade?
- Wanted the crusade to be well-organised and well-financed.
- Louis VII was allowed to levy a crusade tax to help finance the crusade.
- Crusaders were allowed to mortgage their properties
- Wanted to organise food and safe passage for the Crusaders.
What happened to Conrad III’s army during the Crusade?
Manuel Comnenus forced Conrad to pay homage and respect Byzantine rights in Anatolia, which Conrad resisted until he heard that Louis VII’s army were crossing into Turkey. Conrad split his army when they reached Nicea but this backfired as Conrad was still unable to provide provisions for his soldiers and they were ambushed by the better-organised Turks when they reached the city of Dorylaeum.
What happened to Louis VII’s army during the Crusade?
Louis VII reached an agreement with Manuel Comnenus as Louis respected Byzantine jurisdiction in exchange for guides and supplies, although Comnenus was also providing information to the Seljuk Turks. His army crossed into Nicea as Conrad’s defeated army was returning, and they were both defeated at Laodicea in 1148 after joining forces and were then forced to take a sea route to Anatolia.
How was Louis VII’s arrival in Antioch a factor in the Crusader defeat during the Second Crusade?
- Louis VII was only able to provide a small part of his army to Antioch, with only 1/10 of his original army.
- Even after arriving in Antioch in 1148 he refused to help Raymond of Antioch lead an offensive against Nur al-Din to take Aleppo.
- Louis wanted to fulfill his vow to reach Jerusalem before fighting.
What happened in Damascus that led to the Muslims being victorious in the Second Crusade?
The Crusader army besieged the west side of the city but ran out of food and water supplies when attempting to besiege the more fortified east side of the city. They were then forced to retreat from the city by Nur al-Din, which led to Conrad III returning home and Louis VII remaining in Jerusalem until 1149 but achieved very little.
How do historians disagree over the factors that led to the failure of the Second Crusade?
- J Riley-Smith argues that Manuel Comnenus’ treaty with the Seljuks weakened Byzantine support for the crusading armies in Anatolia, which led to their defeat. He also argues that the attack on Damascus was poor military judgement as the crusaders failed to notice the amount of supplies in the city.
- S Runciman argues that the size and publicity of the crusade was what led to its defeat, as the Byzantines were unable to provide enough food for the two armies and the size of the armies was enough to unite the Turkish rulers.
- H Mayer argues that the decision to attack Damascus and poor military judgement was what led to their defeat, as they needed to protect a large number of soldiers so only a few reached Jerusalem.
