The Crusades lasted centuries. From 1095, European Christians invaded the Middle East on several occasions. Despite bringing back a vast amount of knowledge to Europe, thousands of lives were lost.
What were the different motives for the Crusades?
A Crusader in armour with a helmet and a sword and the reasons he may join the Crusade including; To obey the Pope's call, to be forgiven for past sins, freedom for Serfs.
The historian Giles Constable says each participant made his own crusade. Some reasons for going were:
To obey the Pope's call to free the Holy city from the infidels and ensure access for pilgrims. St Bernaud of Clairvaux wrote in 1140, Of mighty soldier, oh man of war, you now have something to fight for. If you win it will be glorious. If you die fighting for Jerusalem, you will win a place in heaven.
To be forgiven for past sins. The Pope offered forgiveness for anyone who took part. This was important for knights who had killed many people in battle.
To see the world, have an adventure and prove their bravery.
To get land overseas. This was tempting for a younger son who would not inherit his father's lands.
Serfs, peasants who belonged to their lord, joined the Crusades because the Pope promised them their freedom if they went.
To gain wealth.
Kings encouraged troublesome knights to go on Crusade because it got them out of the country.
In the 1000s, tension increased between Muslims and Christians
The Taking of Jerusalem by the Crusaders.
The Taking of Jerusalem by the Crusaders
Some historians would argue that whilst the primary motive may have been religious, many Crusaders got side-tracked by their greed and lust for power. This may explain why they slaughtered fellow Christians in Constantinople during the first Crusade and took control of Edessa, which was not on the route to Jerusalem and did not contain any holy sites.
