The reasons for the calling of the First Crusade and The motives of the crusaders Flashcards

1
Q

How did Urban II build on Alexius’ requests at the Council of Piacenza?

A

Alexius’ envoys arrived at the Council of Piacenza (March 1095) to ask for Urban’s support for the recruitment of mercenaries. But at the Council of Clermont (November 1095) Urban had developed this limited appeal into a wider crusade.

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2
Q

What argument does Mayer make about the capture of Jerusalem as a key motivation for Urban calling the Crusade?

A

Mayer argues that Urban never intended to liberate Jerusalem but only to respond to Alexius’s request for help. Mayer based his argument on the fact that Urban’s real objectives were to unite the Christian churches in the east under the leadership of Rome and that the liberation of Jerusalem would only create a rival to Rome’s supremacy.

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3
Q

What does Riley-Smith argue about the capture of Jerusalem as motivation for the Crusade?

A

Riley-Smith argued that Jerusalem had always been the primary objective with all its spiritual and religious connections.

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4
Q

Who argued that the Crusade was a pilgrimage?

A

Riley-Smith argues that the Crusade was seen as an armed pilgrimage. Many Crusaders took their vows out of piety with the objective of gaining an indulgence that could remove part or all of the temporal effects of sin. Riley-Smith develops his argument by events during the Spanish Reconquista. In 1089, Urban encouraged secular and religious leaders to help in the rebuilding of the town of Tarragon as a pilgrimage earning indulgences for sins

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5
Q

What does Mayer argue about the Crusade as a war of liberation?

A

Hans Mayer has suggested the appeal of crusading to the wider population was based on their understanding of the idea of Jerusalem. The city had a physical meaning being the place where Jesus suffered and was buried. But more importantly in the medieval mind, it was associated with the heavenly Jerusalem as described in Revelation.

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6
Q

What does Riley-Smith argue about the impact of the reform papacy on Crusader Motivation?

A

Jonathan Riley-Smith argues that the reform movement influenced western Europe in two ways. Firstly, the Church, through the Peace of God movement, was preaching and encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society. Secondly, the church also attempted to divert the aggressive secular powers into the service of the church. An example of this was Gregory VII’s use of the soldiers of St Peter (Militia sancti Petri) in his struggle against the empire, which was developed into Militia Christi by Urban.

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7
Q

Who argued that the Crusade was presented as an attack on Islam?

A

Joshua Prawer argues that the First Crusade was ‘not the defence of Christians of the East, but a Christian offensive against Islam.’ The examination of Urban II’s speech would indicate an element of this when making reference to the Christians of the East being tortured and persecuted. But in reality, there was no evidence of this. During the twelfth century, Christian access to the Holy Places had been encouraged by Arab rulers on the payment of tribute. The few incidents that did occur, such as the massacre carried out by the mad Caliph Hakim in 1009 and the attack on the German bishops in 1064, were used as propaganda.

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8
Q

What were the medieval beliefs of Millennialism?

A

Millennialism is the idea that the Second Coming of Christ would occur at the turn of the millennium. Revelation says that antichrist would come before the second coming, claiming to be the Christ. Many saw the Crusade as a way of ushering in the new age and the Muslims may have been as the antichrist.

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9
Q

Who presents the economic thesis?

A

Herhily and Duby present the economic thesis. Herhily has argued that from 1000 onwards there were recurring famines in southern France and Italy - significant recruitment areas for crusaders. This was linked to the rising population creating pressure to making more viable economic land units. This encouraged the land owning classes to use the rule of primogeniture forcing younger sons to seek their own fortune, either in the church or as a knight. The expanding Knightly class would have the opportunity to seek lands in Palestine.

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10
Q

What does Duby argue for the economic thesis?

A

Duby argues that Burgundy where the land was owned in common by the family (frereche). In this system the family wealth was shared for the common good of the family. Duby has suggested that the crusades offered individuals an escape from the family restrictions.

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11
Q

How does Riley-Smith counter the economic argument?

A

Riley-Smith has argued that the economic thesis is not that significant in that no more than 1/3 of the Crusaders actually settled in Holy Lands. In addition, the cost of supporting a crusader was an expensive and risky investment. In fact, many crusaders had to be subsided by richer lords and taxes raised for the Crusade such as those raised by Louis VII in 1146 and 1185 by Henry II of England and Philip Augustus.

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12
Q

What evidence is there to suggest Raymond of Toulouse went on the Crusade out of religious zeal?

A

Raymond was a clear supporter of the reform movement - having renounced all rights to the church of St Gilles. and gave up property to fund his expedition.

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13
Q

What is the general assumption as to why Godfrey of Bouillon went on the First Crusade?

A

Generally, it is assumed Godfrey of Bouillon went on the crusade for religious reasons. Although he was once an opponent of the Church he did sell his lands to the Church in order to fund the Crusade.

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14
Q

Why is Bohemond of Taranto considered to have gone on the Crusade for economic reasons?

A

Bohemond was overlooked by his father, Robert Guiscard, and did not inherit his coveted lands in Sicily. Furthermore, his father’s second wife wanted the title passed onto her son instead of Bohemond (child of Robert’s first marriage).

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