The Crusades

I. Introductory Abstract:

The Crusades is the topic for this paper, and its intent will perhaps be to argue, show, or prove that the purpose of the Crusades was in reality a venture campaign to acquire Jerusalem or the Holy Land as property for that Roman Catholic Church of this period in history. The original purpose or intent of going to Jerusalem may have been to protect and evangelize; however, it may have become more of a real-estate acquisition outcome. Thomas Asbridge in his book, The Crusades The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land, explains it as follows:

“Nine Hundred years ago the Christians of Europe waged a series of holy wars, or crusades, against the Muslim world, battling for dominion of a region sacred to both faiths-the Holy Land. This bloody struggle raged for two centuries, reshaping the history of Islam and the West (Asbridge, p. 1).”

The Crusades timeline was from 1095to1291, almost 200 years. The more that events unraveled, the more clear it becomes that the original goal distorts and withers. Seemingly, the thought behind going into the Holy Land resembles the purpose radical Muslim terrorist have in the present day.


II. The First Crusade

The First Crusade began as follows:

“In November 1095, Pope Urban II preached a sermon at Clermont-Ferrand in France to launch the First Crusade. The aim was to aid the Christians of the East and return to Christian control the Holy Sepulcher, the church in Jerusalem said to contain the tomb of Christ. Absolution from sin and eternal glory were promised to the Crusaders, who also hoped to gain land and wealth in the East. Nobles and peasants responded in great number to the call and marched across Europe to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. With the support of the Byzantine emperor, the knights, guided by Armenian Christians, tenuously marched through Seljuq-controlled territories in modern Turkey and Syria to Jerusalem. In June 1099, the Crusaders began a five-week siege of Jerusalem, which fell in July 1099. The Crusaders then took over many of the cities on the Mediterranean coast and built a large number of fortified castles all over the Holy Land to protect their new territories (www.metmuseum.org).

In the previous order of events it appears that the Crusaders did exactly as they set out to do. Why, they did was perhaps ignorance of scriptures, but obedience to the pope that said “one must be ready to die for the earthly Jerusalem.” “...Holy war became a new way of gaining forgiveness of sins, an alternative to entering the monastic life (Fergusson, p.414, 415).”

III. Second and Third Crusade

Beginning in 1128, a Turkish ruler named Zengi began taking advantage of some friction between Christians and Muslims, who normally got along, so he recaptured areas of the Holy Land. The king of Jerusalem appealed to the pope in Rome for help in defeating Zengi, and the pope called for a Second Crusade (Cothran, p. 59).

In the second Crusade events occurred as follows:

“In 1147–49, the Second Crusade, championed by the abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, attempted to take Damascus in Syria. The campaign was a dismal failure because the Muslims had regrouped. Led by Salah al-Din (Saladin), Muslim forces advanced across Syria and finally retook Jerusalem in October 1187. By the end of the Third Crusade (1189–92), however, Crusader forces had gained Cyprus and the city of Acre. With each crusade, relations between the Byzantines and the Western forces became more estranged (www.metmuseum.org).”

In the previous order of events it appears that the Crusaders lost ground instead of being able to expand, and the vision between the Eastern and Western Church began to differ. When news of the loss of Jerusalem reached Western Europe people were shocked, and the pope called for a third Crusade…the result of the Third Crusade was limited victory for the Christians; Saladin allowed Richard I of England to claim a thin portion of the land along the Mediterranean Coast, but the rest of the land belonged to the Muslims (Cothran, p. 60).

Indeed, Saladin was victorious in the Second Crusade. Even more, Saladin suggested terms. The terms were as follows:

“He would allow all Christians to leave Jerusalem on payment of ten dinars for a man, five for a woman, and one for a child. Balian pointed out that many thousands of poor people would not be able to afford these sums, and Saladin granted a period of grace for money to be raised. In the end perhaps 15,000 were left behind and taken into slavery, but the remainder were escorted to the coast (Madden, p.76-77).”

In truth, Saladin’s behavior appears to be more compassionate then some of the Crusaders later on during the fourth Crusade which will be discussed later on, but some insight on the third Crusade is needed before.

The more notable issue in the Third Crusade is that the kings took the cross, or perhaps best understood as follows:

“The kings of England and France (Henry II and Phillip II Augustus) were at war, but in response to Joscious’s preaching in January1188 they agreed to make peace and go to the Holy Land…Henry II died in July 1189 with his crusade vow unfulfilled…Crusaders set out on the Third crusade from all over Europe ( Madden, p. 80-82).”
Initially, this is what transpired, it seems as if there was much motivation, but as mentioned before, the Third Crusade had limited victory for the Christians.

IV. The Fourth Crusade

In the Fourth Crusade, events take place as follows:

“The Fourth Crusade set out in 1202 with Egypt as its goal. After choosing sides in a dynastic dispute in Byzantium, however, the Crusaders turned their siege upon Byzantium's capital, Constantinople, to collect an enormous sum of money that had been promised for their earlier support. The city was sacked in 1204, its rich treasures divided between the Venetians, the French, and other Crusaders. The Latin Empire ofConstantinople was established with Baldwin of Flanders as emperor. In 1261, the Byzantines regained the city (www.metmuseum.org).”

Pope Innocent III was not satisfied with the limited success of the Third Crusade, and in 1198 is when he announced the Fourth Crusade. The Fourth Crusade was the most brutal and corrupt because the Crusaders really lost vision when they stopped in Constantinople for the winter, and terminated the expedition to the Holy Land. They sacked Constantinople, and conducted themselves in a very barbaric way by committing rape, pillage, and murder. The foregoing resulted in Europeans losing faith in the holiness of the Crusades (Cothran, p. 60).

One conclusion that can be drawn from the Fourth Crusade is as follows:

“The Fourth Crusade had done nothing whatever to harm the Moslems. But it had completed it had completed another agenda that had been part of the crusading movement from the beginning. Urban had wanted the Eastern Church to be subordinated to the Western: now it was…now it was conquered (Siebold, p.95).”

V. Conclusions and Results

Finally, the enthusiasm to go defend the Holy Land began to die down, as we see in the following excerpt:

“Successive crusades were launched to the Holy Land. The Seventh and Eighth Crusades, in 1248 and 1270, were sponsored by Louis IX, who died in Tunisia. In 1291, the Crusader city of Acre fell, and the era of Latin Crusader kingdoms ended. Calls for new crusades over the next centuries were increasingly ignored (www.metmuseum.org).”


The results of the Crusades were alienation of the East from the West. Moreover, because of the independent actions by the Crusaders, alienation between Muslims and Christians, Jews and Christians which perhaps created anti-Semitism that has lasted until today…. The Crusaders built a large number of fortified castles all over the Holy Land to protect their new territories….
Many historians believe that the Crusades increased religious intolerance…perhaps even setting in motion the turmoil found in the Middle East today (Cothran, p. 61).
The Crusaders built Churches like St. Anne in Jerusalem perhaps forgetting or never really knowing portions of the scriptures such as when the Apostle Paul said in Acts 17:24-27:

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place...he is actually not far from each one of us (Holy Bible, ESV).”

Furthermore, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (Holy Bible, ESV).”

As mentioned previously, “absolution from sin and eternal glory were promised to the Crusaders, who also hoped to gain land and wealth in the East.” In conclusion, the purpose of the Crusades was in reality a venture campaign to acquire Jerusalem or the Holy Land as property for the Roman Catholic Church of this period in history. The original purpose or intent of going to Jerusalem may have been to protect and evangelize; however, it may have become more of a real-estate acquisition outcome. In fact, the result of the fourth crusade was that “the Crusaders turned their siege upon Byzantium's capital, Constantinople, to collect an enormous sum of money that had been promised for their earlier support.” The original vision and mission which’s aim was to aid the Christians of the East and return to Christian control the Holy Sepulcher was lost because the West decided to settle and dwell. Jesus said: “love your neighbor, as yourself.” Jesus did not say only if they are followers of me It does not appear that loving ones neighbor was being practiced by the Crusaders when a declaration of war was made by the pope himself.

Another observation which can be made is that of seeking personal wealth. Why would a Christian be seeking earthly treasures? Mathew 6:19-21 says:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Holy Bible, ESV).

Questions come to mind which have answers. Indeed, seeking personal wealth instead of loving ones neighbor goes against the principals taught by Jesus himself while He was on earth. Moreover, in John 14:15, Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Based on this foregoing instruction by Jesus Christ, it does not appear that His commandments were being kept by the Crusaders or the pope who called for the Crusades. Furthermore, Jesus also said in John 15:10: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.” It is quite obvious that Jesus himself would not condone the actions taken by the Crusaders; consequently, how could have they expected to be successful in their endeavor.

The Crusades ended more than seven hundred years ago, and in retrospect can it be said that these wrongs have been acknowledged by those institutions involved which still exist today? The answer to this question will subsequently be addressed.

On Sunday, 12th of March, 2000, in the HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER, Pope John Paul II declared a "DAY OF PARDON." Many have questioned if Pope John Paul II apologizes for the Crusades and many other sins; however, that depends on one interpretation of his holiness’s words. The following is an excerpt from the speech he gave:

"Let us forgive and ask forgiveness! While we praise God who, in his merciful love, has produced in the Church a wonderful harvest of holiness, missionary zeal, total dedication to Christ and neighbour, we cannot fail to recognize the infidelities to the Gospel committed by some of our brethren, especially during the second millennium. Let us ask pardon for the divisions which have occurred among Christians, for the violence some have used in the service of the truth and for the distrustful and hostile attitudes sometimes taken towards the followers of other religions (www. vatican.va)."

Pope John Paul II apologized for historical wrongs committed by Christians in the service of the Church. Many people have believed that the Pope did apologize for the Crusades, some however believe that technically he did not because no specific mention of the Crusades was made. Whether one takes sides on this issue or not, at least some form of apology was made that perhaps was long overdue. In spite, of apologies these wrong cannot be corrected, and only bring to mind that it was an age of much darkness and evil.

Jesus said: “"let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Holy Bible, ESV)." Unfortunately, the Crusades are known more for darkness than for light. If shining our light before men is equivalent to good works then good works were minimal and the ambience was very dark during this period of church history. Jesus said, as mentioned before in John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
It does not seem that His commandment of doing good works was being exercised by the Crusaders, especially, in the fourth crusade. Moreover, as mentioned before, Jesus said: “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” It is sad that the Crusaders became the thieves that broke in to steal.”

Finally, perhaps the Crusades were as suggested previously, an attempt to acquire real-estate, and to force into subjugation those that were not under the submission to the Western Pope. Unfortunately, these attempts ultimate were unsuccessful. Edmund Burke use to say: “our patience will achieve more than our force.” Perhaps Edmund Burke’s wisdom may have been useful to those in power during the dark period of the Crusades; however, they had the wisdom of Jesus in the very Holy Scriptures, and they neglected to apply it. The only option left for us that carry the baton of this Christian faith is to know that as the Apostle Paul said in Second Corinthians 10:3-6:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh… For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (Holy Bible, ESV).”



References:

Asbridge, Thomas. The Crusades the Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land. NY, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2010.

Cothran, Helen. The 1100s Headlines in History. San Diego, Ca: Green Haven Press, 2001.

Http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/crus/hd_crus.htm.

Http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/documents/.


Fergusson, Everett. Church History volume one from Christ to Pre-reformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.

Holy Bible, ESV

Madden, Thomas F. Crusades The Illustrated History. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 2004.

Siebold, Thomas. The 1200s Headlines in History. San Diego, Ca: Green Haven Press, 2001.