1. Reasons for the Crusades (All in 1)

Why was killing in the crusades a moral issue for knights

Because it broke the Ten commandments, specifically “you shall not kill”

How did Pope Urban II justify the Crusades despite the commandment against killing

He used the theory of a just war to argue that the Crusades were a holy act

What is penitential warfare

A religious excuse for going to war, allowing killing if done with good reason, good intentions, and under official leadership

How were knights reassured that going on crusade wouldn’t endanger their souls?

They were told it was a holy act approved by God and that it could even save their souls.

Why couldn’t Pope Urban II offer money to motivate knights to join the crusade

Because he was asking them to spend several time their annual income instead

What spiritual reward did Pope Urban II offer to knights who joined the crusade

An indulgence called “remmissio peccatorum”, or forgiveness of all sins

Why was the indulgence such a powerful motivator for knights

Because they lived in a violent, sinful society destined for eternal punishment, but the indulgence promised them heaven

What was the Gregorian Reform Movement?

A movement that encouraged Christians to imitate the life of Christ, known as Imitatio Christi

How did the crusade reflect imitatio Christi

It forced knight to give up worldly comforts like Christ did

Why was Jerusalem significant to Christians

It was the site of Christ’s crucifixion and Resurrection

What changed in the 1090s that made pilgrimages to Jerusalem more difficult

The rise of the Seljuk Turks made the route less secure and more expensive

How did Pope Urban II present the situation in Jerusalem to encourage crusading

He portrayed it as spiritually polluted by Muslim presence and in need of Christian restoration

Why was the theme of Jeruslaem under threat used in later crusades

It was a powerful motivator; even when the target was elsewhere, like Edessa, it helped rally support

What triggered the Third Crusade

The capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187, after which Christians were expelled from the city

How did Bernard of Clairvaux use Jerusalem to promote the Second Crusade

He focused his recruitment letters on the idea that Jerusalem was under threat, despite the actual loss being Edessa

How did Preachers spread the message of the crusade in the middle ages

Preachers travelled around towns and villages, delivering sermons, organising masses, and inviting people to take the cross

What was the Invitatio in the recruitment process for the crusade

The Invitatio was public appeal where people were invited to take the cross, symbolising their vow to the crusade

How did Preachers ensure large audiences for their sermons

They chose to preach during holy times, in outdoor locations, and often used large visuals, such as canvas painting to attract attention

What was the ideal audience for Crusade preachers

The ideal audience was wealthy knights and nobles, as seen in Bernard of Clairvaux preaching at Vezelay in 1146

How did preachers create pious atmosphere to encourage people to take the cross

They used indulgences, like remission of sins, and encouraged participation by highlighting miracles

What problem did Urban face with preachers during his initial call

There was little control over who preached, leading to the recruitment of undesired participants like the poor, elderly, and women

How did future popes improve the recruitment process for the crusade

Future popes controlled who could preach, using papal legates to ensure that only desired participants were recruited

What role did Bernard of Clairvaux play in the second crusade

Bernard was a key preacher whop recruited influential figures like King Louis VII of France and King Conrad III of Germany, helping turn the crusade into a military movement led by powerful rulers

Who was the Byzantine emperor during the 1090s

Alexius I Comnenus

What key city near Constantinople was taken by the Seljuk Turks

Nicea

Why did Alexius’s negotiations with the Seljuks fail

Abu’l-kasim was murdered and replaced by Kilij Arsland, who refused to negogiate

What was the purpose of Alexius I’s appeal to pope Urban II in 1095

To request military aid to defend against Muslim threats, not to start a crusade

What was Pope Urban II’s reaction to Alexius’s request

He responded positively and encouraged others to help, triggering plans for a religious war - leading to the first crusade

Why did Alexius I’s appeal to Urban II show Urban’s political power

Because Alexius appealed to him over other powerful kings’ showing Urban was seen as both a spiritual and political leader

What major conflict weakened papal authority before Urban’s time

The Investiture Controversy between Pope Gregory and Emperor Henry, where there was conflict over who could appoint bishops and abbots

How did Urban weaken Emperor Henry IV’s position in 1095

By exploiting a rebellion by Henry’s son and a scandal involving Henry’s wife, Praxedis

What action did Urban take against King Philip I of France in 1095

He confirmed Philip’s excommunication for adultery and imprisoning a bishop

How did Urban use the crusade to assert papal authority

By showing monarch he could rally Christendom and lead a major campaign

What long-term goal did Urban have for the Church

To unify the Eastern and Western churches under papal authority

How would launching a crusade unite the Western and Eastern church

Urban could present himself as the protector of all Christendom and reassert the pope’s leadership over the entire Christian world

What was a major issue facing French society in the early 11th Century

Widespread violence caused by a warrior class with no clear purpose

Why did knights in France turn to internal conflict during the early 1000s

External threats like the viking invasions had ended, leaving them without an enemy

What was the church’s initial response to rising violence in France

They launched the Peace and Truce of God movements to reduce violence

How did the Peace Movement affect society

It changed attitudes, reduced violence, and encouraged knights to seek pious behaviour

How did the idea of a crusade relate to the Peace Movement

It gave knights a religious cause to channel their violence

What was the key reason behind the crusades of the 12th century

The need to defend the crusader states in Outremer

What major event in 1119 highlighted the need for defence in Antioch

The Battle of the Field of Blood, where Roger of Antioch and many nobles were killed

What was the turning point that led to the Second Crusade

The fall of Edessa to Zengi in 1144

What actions by Zengi before 1144 indicated a growing threat

He captured key fortresses and castles

What major defeat in 1187 led to the 3rd Crusade

The Battle of Hattin, where the Christian army was defeated, King Guy was captured, and the True Cross was taken

Which papal bull launched the 3rd crusade and when

Audita tremendi, issued by Pope Gregory VIII in October 1187

What significant city fell to Saladin in 1187, prompting a major crusade

Jerusalem

What religious motivation did Pope Urban II offer knights to join the 1st Crusade

presented it as a holy pilgrimage with spiritual rewards, including forgiveness of sins

Which religious order influenced knights to appreciate the spiritual reason for crusading

The Cluniac Order

How did lordship ties influence knights to go on crusade

Knights often followed their lords who joined the crusade, due to loyalty and obligation

How did family connections encourage knights to join the crusade

Knights joined family members who were also crusading, as seen with Bohemond of Taranto and his relative

What practical military appeal did the crusade have for knights

It gave them a chance to use their skills in combat for a divine cause

What factors created the appeal for crusading for knights in the 11th century

A mix of religious duty, loyalty, family influence, military purpose, and personal gain

How did chivalric values change the meaning of being a knight

Chivalry made crusading a noble duty and part of a knight’s identity, not just a personal gain

What new values became part of chivalric culture

Loyalty, manners and mastery of knightly skills

How were chivalric values taught and spread among knights and what message did they convery

Through court poetry and songs performed by troubadours, who taught knights that crusading was a duty to God and a way to honour their knightly training

What was the role of the couched lance in chivalric training

It symbolised refined knightly skill used in cavalry charges

How did Richard I influence the relationship between chivalry and crusading

His leadership in the 3rd Crusade inspired widespread knightly participation, linking chivalry with crusading

Why were knights needed in 12th century Outremer

To protect Christian pilgrims and defend crusader states from Muslim attacks

What were key Muslim strongholds used to attack pilgrims

Ascalon and Tyre

Who founded the Knights Templar and when

Hugh of Payns founded the Knights Templar in 1120 to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land.

When did the Church officially recognise the Templars

At the Council of Troyes in 1129

What was the main role of the Hospitallers originally

To support and care for pilgrims, especially the sick and poor

When did the Hospitallers become and independent order

1113

How did the Hospitallers become militarised

By the 1130s, receiving fortresses like Beit Jibrin and defending estates in Tripoli

What contrast did Pope Urban II highlight in his sermon to motivate knights to join the First Crusade

He described the West as overcrowded and famine-stricken, while portraying the East as rich and fertile

What evidence is there to suggest that knights were crusading for material gain as well as religious motives

During the First Crusade, knights looted Jerusalem

Name one key knight who aimed to gain land and power during the First Crusade

Bohemond of Taranto

What position did Bohemond of Taranto claim after the First Crusade, and how

He declared himself Prince of Antioch, breaking an oath to return the city to the Byzantine Emperor

Approximatley how many knights settled permanently in Outremer after the First Crusade

Around 3,000 knights

What was the financial burden of going on crusade for a knight

It cost about 5 or 6 times a knight’s annual income

Why did wealth eventually become more of a barrier than a motivation for crusading

Because the high costs and lack of long-term rewards discouraged many potential crusaders