Slide 12 New Political Horizons I (The Crusades)

Question 1

What were the characteristics of a typical crusade?

[6]

Answer 1

– A call issued by the Pope for a military expedition

– People respond by making a vow in a formal, public ceremony to “take the Cross” (they became the “crucesignati”: those signed with the Cross”)

– The crusaders were promised certain privileges: e.g. protection of their families and assets in their absence, suspension of legal proceedings against them, freedom from interest payments and taxes, indulgences

– Could involve small groups of people departing at different times over a number of years

– Usually saw the participation of groups of people other than the crusaders e.g. “hangers-on”, people providing support, professional soldiers

– Were not restricted to expeditions to Jerusalem or other areas in the East

Question 2

What were the reasons for the success of Pope Urban’s call?

[5]

Answer 2

–The socio-economic situation of many knights in the West

–The desire to escape from obligations at home

–The hope of wealth and glory

–The mention of Jerusalem as the goal of the crusade

–The granting of indulgences for those who undertake this cause

Question 3

What were the impact of the Crusades?

[6]

Answer 3

1) Very limited territorial gains for the West
2) Enhanced the standing of the Pope during the period of the crusades
3) Laid the foundation for widespread use of indulgences (including their sale)
4) Promoted the use of force against heretics and political opponents
5) Sowed the seeds of disaster for the Roman empire in the East
6) Created a new variant of monasticism: The monastic orders of warriors (e.g. Knights Templar, Knights Hospitallers)
7) A mark on Christian-Muslim relations which lasts up to our day

Question 4

What were the beliefs concerning sin and punishment in the time of the crusades?

Answer 4

• Forgiveness is through the atoning work of Jesus Christ and is applied through the sacraments
• However sins committed still attracts temporal punishments in the form of penance and purgatory after death.

Question 5

How was the granting of indulgences understood?

Answer 5

• There was a “treasury of merits” which was the accumulation of merit through Christ and his saints
• The church (through the pope) had the power to apply the treasury of merits to a particular person to commute part or whole of their temporary punishment in this life or in purgatory.