2. Leadership of the crusades (All in 1)

How did the princes’ priorities vary during the first crusade

Some were spiritually motivated to reach Jerusalem, while others sought land, power, or personal glory

What caused early divisions among the crusading leaders

Their differing attitudes toward the Byzantine Emperor and the oath of vassalage

Which princes accepted the oath to Alexius I and seemed committed to reaching Jerusalem

Godfrey of Bouillon and the northern French leaders

Which prince took the oath with no intention of keeping it

Bohemond of Taranto

Which leader bypassed Constantinople and sought to create his own principality early on

Baldwin of Boulogne

What was Raymond of Toulouse’s attitude toward to oath to Alexius I

He refused the full oath, swearing only to protect the emperor’s life and honour

What key development occurred during the siege of Nicaea

The leaders formed the Council of Princes to coordinate decisions jointly

How did the crusaders demonstrate cooperation in Asia

They coordinated military efforts, such as combining forces at Battle of Dorylaeum

Overall, how did the actions of the individual princes affect the first crusade

Their ambitions caused disunity, but cooperation in key battles enabled the campaign to progress

Why did Baldwin of Boulogne and Tancred leave the main crusading army in September 1097

To travel through Cilica on their way to Antioch and attempt to gain land for themselves

What caused conflict between Baldwin and Tancred in Cilicia

Baldwin removed Tancred’s banners from Tarsus and replaced them with his own, asserting control

What happened at Mamistra between Baldwin and Tancred

They fought over control of the town, marking the first instance of fighting between crusader armies

Why did Baldwin turn east toward Edessa

To avoid further conflict with Tancred and to find territory of his own

How did Baldwin become ruler of Edessa

He was adopted by Toros and became heir; after Toros was murdered, Baldwin took control

What did Baldwin’s rule of Edessa signify about his priorities

His chief priority was personal power and land acquisition, not completing the crusade to Jerusalem

How did Baldwin’s departure affect the main crusading army

Baldwin's departure weakened the main army's leadership and cohesion, as he was a key figure in their strategy and diplomatic efforts.

How did Baldwin support his brother Godfrey’s campaign

He sent 50,000 gold bezants from Edessa to fund the march to Jerusalem

What unintended strategic benefit did Baldwin’s control of Edessa provide

It delayed the Muslim army led by Kerbogha, allowing the Crusaders more time to prepare for their siege of Antioch

How did Baldwin’s actions both harm and help the First Crusade

He weakened unity by leaving the main army but helped indirectly by funding Godfrey and delaying enemy forces

Why did Bohemond rise to prominence during the siege of Antioch

He led the victory at the Lake of Antioch and negotiated secret entry into the city

How did the crusaders gain access to Antioch in June 1098

Bohemond arranged secret negotiations with a city insider who let them in

What challenges did the crusaders face during the siege of Antioch

Food shortages, desertions, low morale and leadership losses

What tactical decision helped Bohemond defeat Kerbogha forces

He had his army exit through the Bridge Gate to delay enemy response

How did Bohemond organise his army for the battle against Kerbogha

Into seven divisions with seperate leaders and a rearguard force

Why did Kerbogha delay responding to the crusaders’ attack

Bohemond’s divided army gave the impression it wasn’t a full assault

What happened after the crusaders defeated Kerbogha’s army

Bohemond claimed Antioch for himself, refusing to give it to the Byzantines

What caused a six-month delay after the capture of Antioch

A power struggle between Bohemond and Raymond over control of the city and its resources.

How did popular pressure push the crusade forward in January 1099

A mob destroyed Ma’arrats fortifications due to frustration with the internal conflicts between leaders leading to delays, forcing Raymond to march to Jerusalem

Why did Raymond of Toulouse delay the march to Jerusalem in early 1099

He besieged the city of Argah to try and establish his own country near Tripoli, not to aid in capturing Jerusalem

What caused Tancred to abandon Raymond of Toulouse

Tancred was convinced Raymond had lost commitment to the crusade due to his attempts in Argah

Who did Tancred and Robert of Normandy ultimately support in place of Raymond

Godfrey of Bouillon

What strategic change helped the crusaders succeed in breaching Jeruslaem’s walls

Godfrey switched attacks from the western to the northern then to the eastern wall, where a siege tower helped them break through

How long did the siege of Jerusalem last in 1099

5 weeks

What brutal acts occurred after the crusaders captured Jerusalem

Many Muslims and Jews were massacred, including 300 Muslims killed despite Tancred’s protection, and Jews burned in a synagogue

What external threat appeared shortly after Jerusalem’s capture

A large Muslim counter-attack force from Egpyt camped outside Ascalon

How did the crusaders defeat the Egyptian force at Ascalon

They launched a surprise attack, lead by Godfrey

What leadership dispute followed the victory in Jerusalem

Raymond refused to accept Godfrey’s election as ruler and held onto the Tower of David until betrayed by a follower

Who were the two main leaders of the second crusade

Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany

What were Louis VII’s motivations for joining the Second Crusade

To remiss his sins for the massacre at Vitry, where he burned down a church with civilians in it, and to fulfil his brother’s vow to go to Jerusalem

How did Conrad III use the crusade to his political advantage

Conrad turned the crusade into a political tool to secure loyalty and reduce dissent within his empire.

Why did Louis VII reject Roger of Sicily’s offer of naval transport

To avoid angering Conrad III and to protect Antioch

How did the routes taken by Louis and Conrad reflect their political concerns

Conrad avoided Roger of Sicily due to poor relations, while Louis chose a land route to support Conrad and protect Antioch

What initial sign of cooperation was shown between Louis and Conrad

Coordination at Chalons-sur-Marne and logistical support at Regensburg

Who was the Byzantine emperor during the second crusade

Manuel I Komnenos

Why was the relationship with Manuel I important for the success of the Second Crusade

Because he controlled access to supplies, military support, safe passage, and ships through the Byzantine empire

How did Manuel I’s stance differ from that of Alexius during the First Crusade

Unlike Alexius, Manuel did not invite the crusaders and was suspicious of their intentions

Why did tensions arise between Conrad III and Manuel I

Because the Byzantine shadowed the Germans to prevent them from seizing territory, leading to violent incidents

What oath was Conrad III forced to swear to Manuel I

A limited oath not to act against Manuel’s interest

Why was Manuel I suspicious of Louis VII

Because of Louis’s previous alliance with Roger of Sicily, a political enemy of Manuel

What did Manuel I demand from Louis VII upon arrival in Constantinople

An oath of homage and a promise not to seize Byzantine land

How did poor relations with Manuel I impact crusader logistics

Byzantine guides gave limited help, markets were overpriced, and there were claims they betrayed crusader movements to the Turks

What were the consequences of poor Byzantine cooperation for the German Army

They were ambushed due to lack of supplies and knowledge of the terrain, leading to heavy losses and a retreat to Nicaea

How did Manuel I’s failure to fully support the crusaders contribute to the Second Crusade failure

It caused supply shortages, betrayal, troop exhaustion, and weakened the unity and effectiveness of the crusader forces

What key planning mistake did Conrad III and Louis VII make before launching the Second Crusade

They failed to consult with the leaders of the crusader states in Outremer

Why was Edessa an unrealistic target for the second crusade

Because Edessa had already been destroyed in 1146

What showed that Conrad was still unaware of Edessa’s fall in early 1148

He write a letter expressing his intention to recapture Edessa 2 years after it had been destroyted, showing how out of touch he was

What was the consequence of the delay between March and June 1148

It delayed the crusader’s progress and increased the costs of maintaining the army

What was Prince Raymond of Antioch’s military proposal

To attack Aleppo to protect the north from Nur ad-Din

Why did Louis VII reject the Antioch plan

He was focused on reaching Jerusalem to fulfill his vow

What was the result of Louis’s rejection of Raymond’s plan

Antioch withdrew its support for the Second Crusade

What was the final target chosen at the Council of Acre in June 1148

The city of Damascus

Which leaders launched the initial attack on Damascus

Baldwin III and Louis VII

What key support did Conrad III bring to the siege of Damascus

Reinforcements from soldiers who sailed via Lisbon and 2,000 horses provided by Manuel I

Why did the crusaders switch their attack from the western side to the eastern side of Damascus

They hoped to exploit a weaker point in the eastern walls and speed up the siege

What critical problem did the crusaders face on the eastern side of Damascus

There was no access to water or food, leading to exhaustion

How long did the crusaders maintain their assault after switching to the eastern side

Only three days before retreating

What were the long-term effects of the failed siege on the crusader states

The northern crusader states weakened, Prince Raymond of Antioch was killed, and Edessa was permanently lost

What major event in 1187 prompted the Third Crusade

The Battle of Hattin and the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin

What was the state of the crusader territories after Jerusalem fell in 1187

Only the county of Tripoli, Antioch and part of Tyre remained

Which 3 European rulers led the 3rd Crusade

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, King Richard I of England and King Philip II of France

What siege had already begun before the Third Crusade fully launched

The siege of Acre by King Guy of Jerusalem in August 1189

How many troops did Frederick Barbarossa command

Approximately 15,000

What previous crusading experience did Frederick Barbarossa have

He had taken part in the Second Crusade

How was Richard I of England able to fund his crusade

Through the Saladin Tithe collected by his father, Henry II

Despite limited finances, what military advantage did Philip II of France have

He had the most mounted men (around 2,000)

What effect did the leadership of the monarchs have the Third Crusade

It gave the crusade momentum, scale and international legitimacy

Who was the most experienced leader of the Third Crusade

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of Germany (70 years old)

What action did Frederick take against Byzantines in response to being denied supplies, and what was the significance

He seized Plovdiv and won a decisive victory at Dhidimotikon, allowing the Germans to cross into Western Asia

What challenges did the German army face while crossing Western Asia

They ran out of food, lost horses and supplies, and many soldiers became ill

When and how did Frederick Barbarossa die

He drowned in a river in 1190, either while swimming or crossing

What immediate effect did Frederick’s death have on his army

Many soldiers were either demoralised or abandoned the crusades and fled back to Germany as there was likely to be a succession crisis after the Emperor’s death

What happened to the German troops who continued on to Acre after Frederick’s death

They arrived in poor condition and could offer minimal support to the siege of Acre

Why was Frederick Barbarossa’s death significant to the overall outcome of the Third Crusade?

It removed a powerful leader, reduced the German forces and weakened the crusade’s potential success

What initial agreement did Richard I and Philip II make before the Third Crusade

They swore to cooperate and share all spoils of the crusade equally

What personal issue first created tension between Richard I and Philip II

Richard broke off his engagement to Philip’s sister, Alice, to marry Berengaria of Navarre

How did Richard’s broken engagement affect the crusade

It caused personal tension and military delay, especially during the siege of Messina

Who were the rival claimaints to the throne of Jerusalem during the Third Crusade

Conrad of Montferrant (supported by Philip) and Guy of Lusignan (supported by Richard)

How did the Jerusalem succession dispute affect the crusade

It delayed decisions and created disunity among the crusaders

What happened when Richard arrived at Tyre in June 1191

Conrad refused him entry, forcing Richard to go directly to Acre

Why did Philip return home during the Third Crusade

Philip II returned home due to dissatisfaction with the progress of the crusade and disputes with Richard I, fearing conflicts in his own territories.

What did Philip II do after returning to France that impacted the crusade

He threatened Richard’s territory in Normandy and conspired with Richard’s brother John

How did Philip's actions back in Europe affect Richard I?

They distracted and troubled Richard, influencing his decision to withdraw from besieging Jerusalem

What overall impact did the rivalry between Richard and Philip have on the Third Crusade

It weakened cooperation, delayed decisions, and contributed to the failure to retake Jerusalem

Why did Richard I attack Messina in Sicily in 1190

To force Count Tancred of Lecce to pay his sister’s dowry, which Tancred had refused to hand over

What was the outcome of Richard’s attack on Messina

Richard captured the city and extorted 40,000 ounces of gold from Tancred to fund the crusade

Why did Richard invade Cyprus in 1191

Because 3 of his ships went missing and their crews were imprisoned by Isaac Comnenus, the island’s ruler

What did Richard do with Cyprus after conquering it

He sold it to the Templars for 100,000 bezants, gaining further funds for the crusade

What crucial support did Philip provide at Acre

He brought six supply ships and began constructing siege weapons

What caused a delay after the capture of Acre

A month-long argument over who should be king of Jerusalem

Who was ultimately decided to be King of Jerusalem, and who would succeed him in 1191

Guy of Lusignan would remain king for life; Conrad of Montferrat would inherit the title after