Taking The Cross Flashcards
spiritual reward: 1177 - Philip of Flanders’ Crusade
Philip of Flanders arrived in Outremer to launch a campaign but disagreements with Byzantines and Crusader leaders led to failure.
Demonstrated how internal disputes weakened religious efforts.
spiritual reward: 1187 - Fall of Jerusalem
The defeat at Hattin (July 4, 1187) and the loss of Jerusalem (October 2, 1187) to Saladin shocked Christendom.
Pope Gregory VIII issued ‘Audita tremendi’, blaming Christian sins for the defeat and calling for the Third Crusade.
spiritual reward: 1189-1192 - The Third Crusade
Led by Richard I of England, Philip II of France, and Frederick Barbarossa to reclaim Jerusalem.
Failed to retake the city, but secured Christian access for pilgrims.
spiritual reward: 1198 - Pope Innocent III’s Call for the Fourth Crusade
Pope Innocent III launched a massive preaching campaign to recruit knights.
Fulk of Neuilly, a popular preacher, spread the Crusade message in France and Flanders.
spiritual reward: Limitations of the Fourth Crusade
Lack of Mass Recruitment: Unlike Peter the Hermit (First Crusade) or Bernard of Clairvaux (Second Crusade), Fulk failed to attract large numbers.
Scandals and Skepticism: Fulk was accused of embezzling donations, undermining the credibility of the papal campaign.
Economic Motivations: Economic Motivations (Wealth & Power)
While some Crusaders had religious goals, many were also motivated by economic gain and the financial backing of Venice.
Economic Motivations: Venetian Interests in Crusade (1201-1204)
Venice agreed to transport 33,500 Crusaders in exchange for 85,000 marks.
However, when only 12,000 Crusaders arrived in Venice (1202), they couldn’t pay the full amount.
Economic Motivations:
Doge Enrico Dandolo’s Actions
Doge Enrico Dandolo forced them to attack Zara (a Christian city) as payment, showing Venice’s commercial priorities.
Economic Motivations:
Manipulation of Crusaders
Venice manipulated the Crusaders to later attack Constantinople (1204) instead of the Holy Land.
Economic Motivations:
Boniface of Montferrat & Philip of Swabia
The Crusade’s leader, Boniface of Montferrat, had personal reasons for intervening in Byzantine politics.
Philip of Swabia (Holy Roman Emperor) encouraged the Crusade to place his relative, Alexios IV Angelos, on the Byzantine throne.
Economic Motivations:
The Sack of Constantinople (April 1204)
After Alexios IV failed to pay his promised money, Crusaders besieged and looted Constantinople.
The Crusaders stole vast treasures, relics, and land, leading to the creation of the Latin Empire (1204-1261).
Economic Motivations:
Limitations of Economic Motivations
Not All Crusaders Were Greedy: Many ordinary knights joined the Crusade believing in its religious cause.
Feudal & Societal Expectations
Many knights participated due to family ties, feudal duties, and political obligations.
Feudal & Societal Expectations: Connections to Outremer (Holy Land)
Many knights had relatives who previously fought in Crusades.
Baldwin of Flanders had a family history in Jerusalem: His uncle Philip died on Crusade.
Feudal & Societal Expectations: The Tournament at Ecry (November 28, 1199)
At Theobald of Champagne’s tournament, key French nobles took the cross, including Louis of Blois and Baldwin of Flanders.
Feudal & Societal Expectations: Death of Theobald (1201) & Richard I (1199)
After Theobald’s death, Boniface of Montferrat became leader due to his family connections to Outremer.
Feudal & Societal Expectations: Limitations of Feudal Duties
Feudal Duties Didn’t Force Crusading: While family ties played a role, Crusading was still voluntary.
