Why did Latin Christians fight Muslims between 1071 and 1099?

Question 1

Religious duty/Sanctified violence: What movement influenced people to limit Christian violence against each other between 1071 and 1095?

Answer 1

The Peace and Truce of God movement sponsored by the Church.

Question 2

Religious duty/Sanctified violence: Who were the ‘milites Christi’?

Answer 2

Knights fighting directly for the papacy, viewing their warfare as holy.

Question 3

Religious duty/Sanctified violence: What task did Pope Nicholas II give to the Normans in 1059?

Answer 3

To re-conquer Sicily for Christianity.

Question 4

Religious duty/Sanctified violence: What promise did Pope Alexander II make in 1063?

Answer 4

He promised indulgence for those who fought in Spain.

Question 5

Religious duty/Sanctified violence: What threat did hard-line Muslim Berbers pose to Christians in Spain from 1086?

Answer 5

The Almoravids threatened Christians.

Question 6

Religious duty/Sanctified violence: What campaign did Pope Victor III support in 1087?

Answer 6

The campaign against Mahdia.

Question 7

Religious duty/Sanctified violence: What was a limitation regarding the Normans’ conquest of Sicily?

Answer 7

The Normans intended to conquer Sicily prior to papal blessing.

Question 8

Religious duty/Sanctified violence (limitations): Who was Ebles of Roucy?

Answer 8

A leader of a papally-backed expedition who plundered the church in Reims.

Question 9

Religious duty/Sanctified violence (limitations): What was Rodrigo Diaz (El Cid) known for?

Answer 9

Fighting for both Muslim leaders and Christians.

Question 10

Religious duty/Sanctified violence (limitations): What relationship did Alfonso VI of Leon have with a Muslim ruler?

Answer 10

He supported the Muslim client ruler, al-Qadir, in Toledo.

Question 11

Religious duty/Sanctified violence (limitations): What was established by Normans in Sicily?

Answer 11

A highly religiously tolerant society.

Question 12

Economic gain: What economic benefit did the Normans gain from Sicily?

Answer 12

They became fabulously wealthy from its riches.

Question 13

Economic gain: What did Gregory VII promise knights regarding lands captured in Spain?

Answer 13

That they could keep the lands they captured.

Question 14

Economic gain: Who did many Christian warriors fight for in Spain?

Answer 14

Whoever would reward them, such as El Cid.

Question 15

Economic gain: What was the significance of the capture of Toledo in 1085?

Answer 15

It greatly extended and enriched the kingdom of Leon-Castile.

Question 16

Economic gain: What was a limitation regarding the money plundered from Mahdia?

Answer 16

It was spent on the cathedral of Pisa and to build a new church.

Question 17

Economic gain (limitation): What did J. Riley-Smith claim about the cost of crusading from 1095-99?

Answer 17

It was five times the annual income.

Question 18

Feudal and Social obligations: Who conquered Sicily in a collective effort?

Answer 18

Six Norman brothers.

Question 19

Feudal and Social obligations: What drove the reconquest of Spain between 1071 and 1095?

Answer 19

The kings of the Christian kingdoms and their feudal lords.

Question 20

Feudal and Social obligations (limitations): Was participation in ‘Holy War’ compulsory?

Answer 20

No, it was technically voluntary as a form of penance.