The First Crusades

The First Crusade began in 1096 by Pope Urban II with the goals of conquering Jerusalem and the Holy Land and freeing the Christian from Islamic rule. Knights and peasants from western Europe traveled to Jerusalem, and captured the sacred city in 1099. The kingdom of Jerusalem was then established along with other Crusader states. The first crusade was a major turning point in the expansion of western power.

There were many causes for the first crusade. One of the main causes was the popularity of pilgrimages at the time. Pilgrimages were so popular because the spirit of adventure was revived in the Western European cultures because of the rapid recovery that was made after the raids by the Viking and Magyars occurred. Even though the pilgrimages were a holy act, the pilgrims enjoyed the city just like tourists.

The second main cause of the first crusade was Italian city state merchants that formed navies. These navies were made up of merchant/ fighting vessels that eventually took control of the Mediterranean.These navies had reconquered southern Italy and Sicily from the Muslims. Europe was already in a period of expansion (before the first crusade), and its capacity for war and conquest had grown.

The third and final main cause of the first crusade, that I will be discussing, is the wide spread spiritual reformation happening at the time. There was a huge increase in spirituality. People no longer passively accepted a religion, they wanted to be involved and active in their religion. They wanted to participate in things that would be pleasing to God.

The first crusade was successful, unlike all the rest to follow, and the holy land of Jerusalem was captured in 1100. They benefitted from the disunity of the Muslims and were then able to set up the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Although it was only ninety years before the Muslims had reorganized themselves and taken back most of what they had lost, the effect of the crusaders' success was great.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine was the Duchess of Aquitaine and Gascony. She was also the Countess of Poitou. During the high middle ages Eleanor was one of the wealthiest and powerful women in Europe. Eleanor was also the Queen consort of two kings, Louis VII of France and Henry II of England.Eleanor was also the mother of two kings of England, Richard I and John. She was most famous for her participation in the second crusade.

At age fifteen, Eleanor's father died and his duchy was left to her. His duchy included most of Southern France. Shortly after, Eleanor married the son (Louis)
of the French king. The king of France died and Louis became king.

Eleanor went on the second crusade along with Louis. Eleanor had two children with Louis, both of which were girls. Soon after the birth of there second daughter their marriage was annulled(after 15 years of marriage). Eleanor then met Henry, who by this time, was the king of France. Henry was 10 years younger than Eleanor.

Eleanor and Henry had eight children together. Two of which, Richard I and John, grow up to become kings of England. Eleanor became very jealous of her husband and supported her sons militarily in a revolt against him. the revolt failed and she was put in prison. She remained in prison for about sixteen years, until her husband's death.

Richard took the throne in 1189 and ordered his mother be released from prison. Richard then placed her at the head of the government. She then returned to Aquitaine and became the abbess of a convent there. She died in Aquitaine in 1204. She goes down in history as one of the greatest female sovereigns.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.

William the Conqueror

William I, also known as William the Bastard and William the Conqueror, was about eight when his father,Robert, decided to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Before leaving, Robert called his vassals together and ordered them to swear devotion to William. Reluctantly the men obeyed. Robert did not expect to return from the Holy Land,and he didn't. He died on his journey, and his illegitimate son (William) became the new Duke of Normandy.

William was the Duke of Normandy from 1035 until his death in 1087. He also became king of England in 1066.William was crowned on Christmas day of 1066 as king of England. He was crowned in Westminster Abbey. His reign as king of England also lasted until his death in 1087. In order to claim his crown, William invaded England in 1066. He led an army of Normans to victory over Harold Godwinson and his forces of Anglo-Saxons. This was is known as the Battle of Hastings.

William's victory at the Battle of Hastings marked the beginning of the Norman Conquest. The victory also brought Norman rule to England. Although the south of England submitted quickly to Norman rule, resistance in the north continued for six years (until 1072). During the first two years, William suffered many revolts throughout England. Then, in 1068, Harold's illegitimate sons attempted an invasion of the south western peninsula, however they were defeated by William.

The Norman Conquest was extremely vital to the history of England in several ways. It removed the native ruling class of England. It was replaced with a French speaking monarchy, aristocracy and clerical hierarchy. This transformed the English language as well as the culture of English.

In 1087 William burned and besieged a town called Mantes. However in the process, William was thrown off his horse up against the pommel of his saddle. He was thrown so violently that his intestines burst. Five weeks later, on September 9, 1087, William died. At his funeral, William's bloated body was shoved into a sarcophagus that was way too small. In the process his body exploded.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.

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