The Crusades Points Test 4 - The Second Crusade, Origin, Course and Consequences

Question 1

When did Zangi capture Edessa?

Answer 1

24th December 1144.

Question 2

Which two cities did Zangi rule before he conquered Edessa?

Answer 2

Mosul and Aleppo.

Question 3

Which bull by Pope Eugenius III (1st December 1145) call for another crusade?

Answer 3

Quantum Praedecessores (‘The Deeds of our forefathers’).

Question 4

Who was Quantum Praedecessores addressed to?

Answer 4

Louis VII and his subjects (especially the nobility).

Question 5

Where and when was the greatest rallying point for the taking of the cross at the start of the 2nd crusade, where Bernard of Clairvaux called upon the king and assembled nobles to take the cross?

Answer 5

Vézelay, 31st March 1146.

Question 6

What was the clear aim of the crusade, according to the bull?

Answer 6

The Liberation of Edessa.

Question 7

What were the rewards for participation? Give any 1 point.

Answer 7

Forgiveness for all sins.
Those who died en route would gain same privilege.
Legal protection of church for lands of those who went.
Interest on debts suspended for crusaders too.

Question 8

Why, by the 1140s, were the deeds of the 1st crusade well known throughout Europe?

Answer 8

Lots of writers chronicling them from eyewitness accounts, Gesta Francorum, Guibert of Nogent, Raymond of Aguilers, Fulcher of Chartres, Robert of Rheimns (primary and secondary accounts).

Question 9

How did Bernard of Clairvaux help promote the crusade?

Answer 9

Went on extensive 7 month tour to promote it, in low countries, Rhineland, in court of Conrad III of Germany/HRE.

Question 10

Who were the two kings who led the 2nd Crusade?

Answer 10

Louis VII and Conrad III.

Question 11

Which two other/linked theatres did the 2nd crusade fight in?

Answer 11

Lisbon and against Wends in Baltic.

Question 12

What arrangements were made which enabled Conrad to set out on crusade with less fear for the security of his realm?

Answer 12

Assembly at Aachen March 1147 established peace throughout empire, and confirmed his son Henry as successor should Conrad die/Rival Wulf of Barvaria joining crusade.

Question 13

When did main forces set out to the east?

Answer 13

May/June 1147.

Question 14

When did the siege of Lisbon begin, and end?

Answer 14

28th June 1147/24th October.

Question 15

Which three cities, also on Iberian peninsula, did the 2nd crusade attack?

Answer 15

Jaen, Alermia and Tortosa.

Question 16

When Alfonso IV of Leon-Castile and the Count of Barcelona sought to attack Aleria and Tortosa respectively, which Italian city was offered 1/3 of city in event of successful capture?

Answer 16

Genoa.

Question 17

Give another name for the Baltic Crusade dimension of 2nd Crusade.

Answer 17

Wendish Crusade.

Question 18

How did the Papal bull Divini Dispensatione II give further impetus to the Baltic Crusade?

Answer 18

Said that all Baltic Crusaders would get same privileges as those fighting in East.

Question 19

Why was the integrity of this crusade, partially an attempt by Saxon Nobles/Bishops to gain land, undermined?

Answer 19

Many of places they attacked Christian! (e.g. City of Stettin, hung crosses down from walls).

Question 20

Why was it decided to take the land route to the east by the 2nd crusade? Give three points.

Answer 20

Offer of taking Roger of Sicily’s ships undermined by enmity between Conrad and him.
Also Byzantines and Sicilians didn’t get along!
Felt best to emulate first crusade.

Question 21

Who was the Emperor of the Byzantines at this time, and why was he less welcoming to the 2nd crusade than Alexios had been?

Answer 21

Manuel Comnenus/hadn’t asked for one!/feared French-Sicilian Alliance, had to make a treaty with the Seljuks to free up troops to monitor crusaders.

Question 22

What precautionary Manuel take to defend Constantinople against the 2nd crusade, in case it turned on him?

Answer 22

Fortified Constantinople.

Tried to persuade Eugenius to convince crusade to swear homage to him and be responsible.

Question 23

Why did the German march near Constantinople experience delay and difficulty?

Answer 23

Hit by flash flood.

Question 24

When the French army arrived, after the Germans were already across the Bosporus, what did a faction in the army suggest (including the King’s Chaplain, Odo of Deuil?)

Answer 24

To attack/take Constantinople.

Question 25

What strategic error did Conrad III make in Anatolia?

Answer 25

Took direct rather than coastal route, over-estimated speed to march c.360 km from Nicaea to Iconium, didn’t appreciate tough landscape.

Question 26

Why might the original intention of the 2nd crusade to campaign in northern Syria/Edessa have made Byzantines reluctant to help?

Answer 26

This near Antioch, where they wanted to assert their power.

Question 27

What is often overlooked at this point, in terms of how likely the French army were to succeed during the march through Anatolia?

Answer 27

They beat Turks in battle in late December 1147, coped with Turkish tactics then!

Question 28

On 7th January 1148, crossing Camdus mountains, why did the French force suffer severe casualties?

Answer 28

Too strung out/vanguard lost contact with army/Turks struck/spirt and strength of army broken.

Question 29

Who was given control of the march to restore order?

Answer 29

The Templars.

Question 30

When did French king arrive in Antioch?

Answer 30

March 1148.

Question 31

Who was the leader of Antioch, and how related to Eleanor of Aquitaine, Louis’ Wife?

Answer 31

Raymond of Antioch/Uncle.

Question 32

Why did Louis and Raymond fall out?

Answer 32

Disagreement over fighting in Northern Syria/rumours of incest/Louis’ desire to be a pilgrim at Jerusalem and re-join Conrad III.

Question 33

Where was the assembly to decide the course of the 2nd Crusade in June 1148?

Answer 33

Palmarea, near Acre.

Question 34

Who were the 4 monarchs who debated at the Council of Acre?

Answer 34

Louis, Conrad, Melisende and Baldwin III.

Question 35

Why was the liberation of Edessa now no longer a viable option by the Council of Acre?

Answer 35

2nd Muslim attack by Nur al-Din destroyed city, pointless target.

Question 36

What were the other choice to attack, apart from Damascus?

Answer 36

Ascalon.

Question 37

Why Damascus chosen to attack? Give any valid point.

Answer 37

Target of earlier crusades, e.g. 1129/Major Muslim power close to Jerusalem/Recently had become hostile after truce + former alliance/Moves in parts of Damascus to ally with Nur al-Din.

Question 38

When did siege of Damascus begin?

Answer 38

24th July 1148.

Question 39

Why did Crusader army shift position, from west/south-west to other side of city?

Answer 39

Thought it would be easier to attack.

Question 40

Why were they forced to withdraw?

Answer 40

News of Nur al-Din’s relief force, out of water.

Question 41

Why, according to Ibn al-Athair, was Unur of Damascus able to persuade 2nd crusade to withdraw?

Answer 41

Said If they didn’t he’d give city to Nur al-Din/offered payment and control of Banyas (and Nur al-Din at Homs, 150 km away).

Question 42

Why did this lead to bitterness and division amongst crusaders?

Answer 42

Recrimination and blame-Conrad on locals, Odo of Deuil and others on Greeks, rumours Count Thierry of Flanders fighting with local nobility etc.