Crusades and Medieval Reforms

The World of the Crusades (1000-1200 CE)

Medieval Reforms

• Peace of God: Initiatives aimed at protecting the weak.
• Truce of God: Ceasefire during specific periods.
• Cluniac Reforms (909 CE):
  • Founded at Cluny, France by William of Aquitaine.
  • Advocated for clerical poverty and celibacy.
  • Cluniacs operate under the direct control of the Pope, opposing simony.
• Great Schism (1054): Church split between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

The Crusades: Context Leading to 1095

• 1095 was a pivotal year due to various socio-political dynamics.
• Medieval Europe & the Abbasid Caliphate: Both regions were stable between 737-1095.
• Jerusalem fell to Muslims in 632 CE, which set the stage for later conflicts.

Religious Context

• Jesus in Islam:
  • Recognized as a prophet.
  • Considered a miracle worker in the Qur'an.
  • Some stories from apocryphal Christianity are shared in the Qur'an.

Jerusalem circa 1000 CE

• Ruled by Abbasids, but maintained a diverse religious presence:
  • Multiple Christian denominations (Orthodox, Coptic, Armenian).
  • Jewish community also present.
  • Jerusalem served as a pilgrimage center, generally supported by the Abbasids.

Critical Events Leading to the Crusades

• Key Dates:
  • 1054: Great Schism
  • 1071: Battle of Manzikert
  • 1073: Conflict between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV.

Battle of Manzikert (1071)

• Conflict between the Turks and the Byzantine Empire near Armenia/Turkey.
• Led to Turkish control of Jerusalem access, disrupting pilgrimages.
• Call for Crusade: Alexius I of Constantinople after this battle.

Gregory VII vs. Henry IV (1073-ish)

• Pope Gregory VII: Advocated for Cluniac reforms throughout the church:
  • Opposed priestly marriage and simony.
  • Promoted papal superiority over earthly rulers.
• Henry IV: Holy Roman Emperor who believed he should appoint bishops, leading to a major conflict.

The Antipope Clement III

• An antipope is one who claims papal authority but is not recognized by the official cardinals.
• Clement III was appointed by Henry IV's supporters in 1080.
• Conflict continued between him and Gregory VII until 1084.

Prelude to the Crusades in 1095

• Council of Clermont: Urban II announces Crusade efforts. Key speech themes:
  • Urges unity among Christians in a cause greater than themselves.
  • Encourages the pursuit of a sacred mission opposed to internal conflicts.

Indulgences and Motivation for Crusaders

• An indulgence granted by Urban II for those who fight for the Church in Jerusalem:
  • “Complete penance” for those leaving out of pure devotion.
• The rallying cry of the Crusaders: "Deus lo volt!" (God wills it!).

Map of Crusader Kingdoms in 12th Century

• Recognizes the division of religious control in the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Highlights Christian states established during the Crusades.

Outcomes of the Crusades

• Significant events:
  • 1095: Peter the Hermit and Jewish massacres.
  • 1099: Massacre at Jerusalem.
  • 1187: Reconquest of Jerusalem by Saladin.
• Impact on Europe:
  • Increased militarism and altered sociopolitical relations, despite minimal changes in Muslim territories due to the input of the Mongols.