Pre-Crusade Information

Information from before the crusade.

The Feudal System

This was a hierarchal system with kings at the top, then nobility, then knighthood, and then peasants. Land was passed down the system, and fealty passed up.

The Great Schism

The seperation of the eastern orthodox church and the western catholic.

The Investiture Controversy

1075, Pope Gregory VII claims superiority over everyone, this followed his concerns of Kings choosing their own Bishops.

Henry IV (HRE) did not like this, he kicked the Pope out of Rome and appointed his own anti-pope.

After German Nobles rebelled, Henry IV was forced to plead for the Popes forgiveness.

The Cluniac Reform

Aimed to force a stricter following of St Benedict’s rule, and remove secular influence from the church.

Encouraged nobility to take pilgrimage and donate to the church.

The Battle of Manzikert

1071, Seljuk invasion of Anatolia, huge loss for the Byzantine Empire.