The Second Crusade 1147-1150

The Second Crusade, Preaching + Events.

The Papal Bull

Quantum Praedeccessores - Do it for your forefathers.

Who Preached?

Bernard of Clairvaux - preached only to knights and nobility.

Who led the crusade?

King Louis VIII of France - Wanted remission of his sins.

Emperor Conrad III of Germany - Experienced Crusader, wanted to ensure a place in heaven.

Byzantine Relations

Emperor Manuel I Komnenos was worried, the crusade was seen as a threat, he did not welcome them. The French disliked him as he subjugated Antiochea.

Siege of Lisbon

1147, 200 ships (around 10,000 men) sailed from Kent, it was mainly merchants and traiders, King Alfonse Henriques convinced them to siege Lisbon, they did, they won and many stayed in Lisbon.

Another siege took place after in Tortosa, very few went to the Holy Land.

The Conversion of the Wends

The Saxon princes decided to fight the pagan wends to kill them or force them to convert, this slowed down this contingent.

The Journey

German → Left first, followed the original route, Emperor Manuel refused to meet them, but he did replenish them and send them on. Ambushed in Dorylaeum, most of his men killed.

French → Smaller yet fast, they caught up multiple times, they were not on good terms with the Germans.

The Council at Acre

1148, They arrived at Acre, Alphonse-Jordan joined as back-up, he died (It was though he was poisoned) his men left.

The target of Edessa is abandoned, they decide to take Damascus.

Siege of Damascus

Four day siege, Crusaders were in a good sheltered replenishable position, under poor leadership they lef this and became vulnerable, They withdrew.