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.