Political Motives for the Crusades

Reasons why Alexios I asked for help

1. Byzantine Empire surrounded by Seljuk Turks (including Nicaea in 1078 + Antioch in 1084 + whole of Asia Minor by 1090)

2. Alexios failed to resolve crisis through diplomacy: Muslim pirate attacks in 1094 + aggression of Kilij Arslan from 1092)

3. He wanted soldiers to take back control of his lost lands, NOT to recapture Jerusalem.

4. Sent envoys to church council at Piacenza in 1095.

The challenge posed to Urban by German King Henry IV

1. Lack of support from German King Henry IV - had fallen out with previous Pope Gregory VII as part of Investiture Contest - backed Antipope Clement III

2. By 1095: Urban had taken back control of Italian cities from Clement

3. By 1094: Henry submitted to him + allowed Henry IV's wife Praxedis to divorce him

The challenge posed to Urban by French King Philip I

1. Philip had committed adultery by abandoning his queen and marrying someone else's wife.

2. Urban excommunicated Philip at Council of Clermont when First Crusade called

Reasons why Urban wanted to strengthen his position

1. Wanted to increase his secular power by giving himself authority over kings

2. Many western bishops paid little attention to the pope while Eastern Orthodox Church didn't recognise him at all.

Reasons for growing violence and disorder in France

1. No purpose for highly trained warrior class who instead fought each other.

2. French society/politics highly fragmented meaning constant wars between counts/nobles.

3. Resulted in Peace of God and Truce of God movements to harness/control/limit this violence.

The defence of the crusader states

1. Loss at Battle of Field of Blood in 1119 triggered Venetian expedition in 1122

2. Loss of Edessa in 1144 to Zengi triggered Eugenius' appeal in 1146

3. Loss at Battle of Hattin + relic of True Cross triggered Gregory VIII's letter

HOWEVER 7 papal requests were ignored between 1157-1184