Why did so many people join the First Crusade? Flashcards
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: What was central to everyday life during the time of pilgrimage?
Belief in God and the church.
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: What was the tradition associated with saints?
Pilgrimage to sites of saints and veneration of relics, with belief in the power of saints as intercessors.
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: Which site was the most important for pilgrimage?
Jerusalem, associated with the life and death of Christ, particularly focused on the tomb of Christ (The Holy Sepulchre).
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: What opportunity did the Crusade present?
An opportunity to participate in pilgrimage.
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: How did people believe God’s will was manifested?
Through natural phenomena such as comets, cloud formations, and the ‘blood moon’ seen in 1095/96.
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: What was the growing belief regarding Jerusalem?
There was a growing apocalyptic fervor and a need to control Jerusalem.
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: What did Urban II ask people to do at Clermont in November 1095?
He called for participation in the Crusade, with many archbishops and bishops present to spread the word.
Religious devotion of Latin Christians: How did participants describe themselves?
As ‘pilgrims in arms’ and wore the sign of the Cross on their clothing.
Outlet for ‘sanctified violence’: What dilemma did knights face due to the church’s growing power?
The dilemma between occupation and sin due to the church’s insistence on curbing violence.
Outlet for ‘sanctified violence’: How did the Crusade provide an outlet for knights?
Knights could kill non-Christians and be forgiven for previous killings/sins.
Outlet for ‘sanctified violence’: What did the papacy encourage regarding violence?
Violence between Christians and Muslims as part of Christian duty and honor.
Outlet for ‘sanctified violence’: How was the Crusade viewed in relation to ‘Just War’ theories?
It could be seen as a ‘Just War’, similar to the situations in Spain and Sicily.
Outlet for ‘sanctified violence’: What was the aim of Urban’s speech at Clermont?
To ‘demonise’ Muslims and persuade knights of the need to defend Christians.
Outlet for ‘sanctified violence’: What did Urban II promise to participants of the Crusade?
Remission of sins for their previous sins.
Economic factors (Greed or poor conditions): What were the long-term economic factors driving the Crusades?
A means to gain wealth and territory, and a means to escape poor conditions in Europe.
Economic factors (Greed or poor conditions): How was the East traditionally depicted?
The East was depicted as wealthy and exotic – ‘land flowing with milk and honey’.
Economic factors (Greed or poor conditions): What impact did primogeniture have on younger sons during the Crusades?
Younger sons were looking for lands as a consequence of the spread of primogeniture (all inheritance to firstborn sons) - heavily disputed.
Economic factors (Greed or poor conditions): What poor conditions were present in Europe before the Crusades?
Europe had been suffering from several years of drought which led to famine.
Economic factors (Greed or poor conditions): What was Urban II’s promise to the Crusaders?
Urban II promised them wealth and offered to protect their possessions in Europe during the crusade.
Economic factors (Greed or poor conditions): What immediate factors contributed to the Crusades?
There was a famine in the years up to 1096, and many crusader leaders sought territorial gains.
Fulfillment of ‘feudal’ or social obligations: What role did feudal ties play in the Crusades?
Many lords sent their knights to represent them eg Fulk IV of Anjou, and knights were obliged to accompany their lords on expeditions.
Fulfillment of ‘feudal’ or social obligations: Who was a notable example of feudal ties during the Crusades?
Raymond of Toulouse’s retinue is a good example of feudal ties.
Fulfillment of ‘feudal’ or social obligations: What was a general desire among Crusaders?
There was a general desire for adventure, amplified by the popularity of epic stories set to music – ‘Chansons de Geste’.
Fulfillment of ‘feudal’ or social obligations: What social obligations motivated participation in the Crusades?
Crusaders participated to prove their manliness and honour, with social prestige attached to undertaking pilgrimage.
Fulfillment of ‘feudal’ or social obligations: What familial ties existed among notable Crusader leaders?
Tancred and Bohemond; Godfrey and Baldwin; Robert, Robert and Stephen.
