Material reasons for going on 1st crusade

Prospect of acquisition

The campaign offered prospects of territorial acquisition and plunder.

Lands, loot, plunder

Considered a normal part of warfare

How was the East was described

as a 'Land of Milk and Honey'

What did Bernard + Odo do to be able go

Gave wealth to the monastery and accepted death when rich

What did Urban II say that implies people went for material reasons

only those who go for the good of their souls will be relieved of their penance for all their sins; implies people went for loot

Stephen of Blois and Assam

Gave the Land of Assam to one of his chieftains

Raymond of Toulouse

Handed over possessions to the Monastery of Saint-Gilles; suggests he didn't go for loot (or helping Byz), but ambition

Bohemond of Taranto

Had already fought Byzantines, suggesting his motivation was for loot, not helping Byz, or ambition

Godfrey of Bouillon

Had fought to help the Pope besiege Rome; his later actions don't make sense if his motive was to help the Pope

Godfrey's intent

Intended to return home and not settle in the East

Godfrey's actions

Took Tiberias and did not give it to Alexius

Alexius' compromise

The agreement reached to respect the Emperor in conquests; Raymond and nearly all the others took the oath, but Godfrey + Baldwin didn't at first but were forced to militarily

Robert of Normandy

Gave up Normandy to go on Crusade

Bohemond & Baldwin

Bohemond seized Antioch - Baldwin seized Edessa.

Alexios concerned

Alexios made leaders swear oaths to return captured lands to the Byzantine Empire due to concern over material motives.

Unhappy at Nicaea

Chronicles report crusaders were unhappy at being denied plunder from Nicaea.

Droughts & food shortage

France suffered droughts and food shortages before 1096.

Younger sons landless

Younger sons of knights were landless due to primogeniture - crusade offered a way out.

Bohemond example

Bohemond had limited lands in Europe (most went to his brother), so he had to make his own way - ended up getting Antioch

What did Bohemund do once he had Antioch

He left back to Europe with all the riches from the city

Lower groups' land split

For lower social groups, land was split when inherited, making it increasingly unprofitable.

Attacks on Jewish communities

Attacks on wealthy Jewish communities (moneylenders) en route could suggest material motives.

Genoese ships

Late arrival of Genoese ships in the Holy Land was likely motivated by desire for trading privileges.

But Reconquista closer

The Reconquista in Spain was a closer target if material gain was the main goal.

But land remote for many

Gaining land was remote for most - it would go to feudal lords first, possibly distributed later.

But plunder hard to transport

Plunder would be very hard to transport back to Europe, making it an unlikely primary motivator.

But key figures not younger sons

Many key figures (e.g., Raymond of Toulouse, Robert of Normandy) were not younger sons.

But many key figures affluent

Many leaders were affluent (e.g., Raymond had extensive holdings - Robert was Duke of Normandy).

But huge financial commitment

Going on crusade was a huge financial commitment (e.g., Robert mortgaged his duchy), so going for profit seems illogical.

But cost for a knight

Estimated cost for a knight was 5 times his annual income.

But Hugh of Vermandois

Hugh of Vermandois was a younger son but was not poor.

But ordinary people's prospects

Prospects for ordinary people to get plunder or land were quite remote.

But huge gamble

It was a huge gamble traveling 3000 miles into the unknown.

But lands taken not initial motive

Just because lands were eventually taken doesn't mean it was an initial motive - it may have grown from events.

But monastic charters

Monastic charters show knights donating lands to the Church before leaving, suggesting spiritual preparation.

But attacks on Jews could be religious

Attacks on Jewish communities could indicate religious fanaticism, not just material gain.