The Second Crusade Flashcards
Why did Zenghi attack Edessa?
Zenghi had risen to power in the 1120s, earning the support of the Sultan of Baghdad. By 1127, he had been appointed governor of Mosul and in 1128, he seized control of Aleppo.
Until the 1140s, Zenghi showed little interest in attacking the Outremer, instead he concentrated on extending his power base in southern Syria and Iraq. He only attacked Edessa because of a pact with one of these Iraqi warlords.
Why was Edessa subject to frequent attacks?
The County of Edessa was the first of the crusader states to be established during the First Crusade. It was also the most northerly, the weakest and the least populated; as such it was subject to frequent attacks from the surrounding Muslim state ruled by the Ortoqids, Danishmends and Seljuk Turks.
Why did the leaders of the crusader states put Edessa in a bad position?
Joscelin of Courtenay was killed in battle in 1131. His successor Joscelin II was forced into an alliance with the Byzantine Empire. Joscelin had quarrelled with Raymond II of Tripoli and Raymond of Antioch, leaving Edessa with no powerful allies.
In 1143 both the Byzantine Emperor John II Comnenus and the King of Jerusalem Fulk of Anjou died. John II was succeeded by Manuel I Comnenus, who had to deal with consolidating power at home against his elder brother, while Fulk was succeeded by his wife Melisende and his son Baldwin III, aged 13.
How and when did Zenghi attack Edessa?
In Autumn 1144, Zenghi’s spies told him that Joscelin II had left the city, he besieged Edessa with 30,000 men on Christmas Eve, by digging tunnels under the walls and setting fire to the wooden props that held them up.
The citadel held out for two more days but by 26th December, Edessa was in Muslim hands.
Edessa fell due to long term problems (2)
Geographical location of the crusader states meant that they were isolated from support and simultaneously surrounded by Muslim opposition.
The lack of manpower existed because people went home after fulfilling their crusader vows, so there was very few people to control the crusader states, never mind defend them.
Edessa fell due to no clear leadership (1)
Joscelin I was succeeded by Joscelin II in 1131 after he was killed in battle. John Comnenus and King Fulk of Jerusalem died in the same year so there was no clear leadership. This created a power vacuum that was exploited by the Muslims, namely Zenghi.
Edessa fell due to lack of support from Allies* (3)
Edessa could have been saved if enough support had been provided by its former allies. However, there were tensions within the leaders of crusader states, Joscelin II had quarrelled with Raymond of Antioch and Raymond II of Tripoli which meant that they refused to send the support Edessa needed.
Manuel I Comnenus was focused on internal issues, consolidating power against his elder brother and would not send help.
Queen Melisende did send reinforcements but they were too little, too late.
When was Quantum Praedecessores issued?
1st December 1145
Pope Eugenius called the Crusade because? (3)
The Papal pronouncement was issued in December 1145, and then reissued in March 1146, to control the movement at a time when Louis VII was considering an expedition.
Eugenius was keen to follow in the footsteps of Urban – the Quantum Praedecessores contained many references to the First Crusade.
The crusade was a just and necessary response to the fall of Edessa.
Conrad III of Germany joined because? (3)
Bernard recruited Conrad at Speyer with a private audience after a public sermon, on 27th December, he took up the cross the next day. Conrad was pious and had a degree of devotion to the Holy Land, he wanted to visit the Levant.
By 1140s, Pope-German relationships had improved and the Pope was now a valuable ally.
Duke Welf’s involvement made it no longer dangerous for Conrad to leave Germany.
Louis VII of France joined because? (3)
Louis went out of religious devotion and penance for burning down a church containing 1000 people after an argument with the Count of Champagne. Louis had also fought with the Pope (37-43) and at one point his entire realm was under papal interdict
Quantum Praedecessores emphasised the family traditions of crusading “your fathers”. Louis’ wife was the niece of Raymond of Antioch.
On completion or death “remission and absolution”
Bernard of Clairvaux preached because? (3)
Bernard’s measures helped to recruit many knights. He sent persuasive letters to England and Italy and used preachers to spread the word in France.
Bernard was a close ally of the Pope, they were both Cistercian monks.
Bernard feared anti-Semitic attacks in the Rhineland, from rogue Cistercian Ralph. This threatened law and order in Europe and Bernard’s prestige. He thought Jews should remain unharmed.
Knights joined the crusade because? (4)
Bernard’s preaching at Vezeley and Speyer created a sense of excitement and enthusiasm.
Quantum Praedecessores stated that the church would protect their property in their absence.
Songs were created “knights much is promised” suggests the primary motivation was spiritual.
Martial valour and knightly ethos meant they felt it was their duty to take part.
Reasons common to all for joining/preaching/calling? (3)
The Rise of Zenghi and the Threat of the Muslims meant that all thought the crusader states were under attack from a vicious and aggressive enemy.
The weakness of the crusader states, especially with the leadership crisis, meant that Europe feared for the survival of the states.
In 1144, Edessa, the first crusader state, had fallen to the Muslims.
Why was Manuel I concerned about the Second crusade? What did he do about it?
The power of the crusader states in Northern Syria would increase if the crusade was successful, this would challenge Byzantine authority in the region.
Manuel was on good terms with the German King, but Conrad’s absence from western Europe made an attack from Roger II of Sicily more likely.
Manuel I was afraid that elements of the French crusading army would join Roger II and attack the Byzantine Empire.
As the crusaders approached Constantinople, Manuel decided to secure his eastern border by agreeing a temporary truce with the Seljuk Turks. Some of the crusaders saw this as an act of treachery.
