The Great Crusades by

Intro

will_bernarde — 2025-03-26 14:28:11 UTC

Step into the world of the crusades, a series of religious battles between the 11th and 13 centuries started by European countries that aimed to take back the Holy Land from Muslim control. These crusades were pivotal events that shaped the history of Europe and the Middle East.

will_bernarde — 2025-03-26 14:37:10 UTC

Clothes wore in the crusades were typically heavy armor around the chest and head as well as chainmail and leather around vulnerable areas of the body such as the neck and joints. Weaponry of the crusades consisted of anything close combat to archery. But more specifically spears, axes, longswords, and bows.

(“The Armies of the Crusades” World History Encyclopedia)

will_bernarde — 2025-03-26 14:40:15 UTC

The Crusades took place around the Middle East/ Lower Europe.

will_bernarde — 2025-03-26 15:08:03 UTC

the Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus pleaded for help to take back Jerusalem from Islamic powers and November of 1095, a church council meeting took place under Pope Urban the second who answered Alexius’s calling for crusading. Kings from France, England and Rome all agreed. Therefore starting the crusade to the Holy Land.(Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades)

will_bernarde — 2025-03-28 14:18:20 UTC

This video starts explaining how in 1095, Pope Urban II responds to a request from Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus for military aid against the Turks. This idea leads to the call for the First Crusade, which sees many noblemen, including Godfrey of Bouillon and Raymond IV, raise armies to aid the Byzantine Empire.

The Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099. After capturing various territories and defeating opposing forces, the Crusaders capture Jerusalem in 1099, appointing the Kingdom of Jerusalem with Godfrey of Bouillon as its ruler, thus gaining control over a large holy site.

Launched in response to the loss of the city of Edessa in 1144, the Second Crusade led by Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany but fails due to loses against the Turks. In 1187, Saladin captures Jerusalem, pushing the Third Crusade led by Richard the Lionheart and Philip II of France. Despite some wins, Richard decides not to retake Jerusalem but secures access to holy sites for Christian pilgrims. This video is very good at explaining the rich history of the Crusades in a short amount of time and I recommend it to anyone interested about the Crusades.

Click the image for Works Cited page.

will_bernarde — 2025-03-28 14:21:31 UTC

Video 2

will_bernarde — 2025-04-03 14:55:40 UTC

In a short amount of time this video goes deeply into the rich history of the crusades. Explaining how it started, what happened during such an event and the outcome.

What was the goal of the crusades?

will_bernarde — 2025-04-09 16:59:00 UTC

The Crusades were organized by European Christians after years of Muslim expansion. Their objectives were to stop the expansion of Muslim states, to reclaim the Holy Land in the Middle East, and to recapture territories that had previously been under Christian control. Many christians also believed that taking up this conquest that they saw as holy war was a chance for redemption and a way to be forgiven of their sins.(Britannica)

Conclusion

will_bernarde — 2025-04-10 14:28:52 UTC

The Crusades played a pivotal role in religious battles which slowed down the march of Islamic power and prevented western Europe from falling under Muslim rule.