The Crusades were Christian military expeditions undertaken between the 11th and the 14th century to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims. The word Crusade, which is derived from the Latin crux ("cross"), is a reference to the biblical injunction that Christians carry their cross. Crusaders wore a red cloth cross-sewn on their tunics to indicate that they had assumed the cross and were soldiers of Christ.

The many causes of the Crusades were complex, but prevailing religious beliefs were clearly of major importance. The Crusaders continued an older tradition of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which was often imposed as a penance. Now, however, they assumed two roles as pilgrims and warriors. Such an armed pilgrimage was regarded as a justifiable war, because it was fought to recapture the places sacred to that of the Christians.

By October 1096, The Byzantine emperor, Alexious I, had not anticipated a force as large as that which the Crusaders brought. Although he provided the Crusaders with food, shelter, and promised them guides, he attempted to get oaths of loyalty from them and exerted pressures upon the Crusaders that would not comply. The visit of these Crusaders to Constantinople marked the beginning of that Western distrust of Byzantine that would eventually hamper the Second Crusade and provide a rational for the diversion of the Fourth Crusade to capture Constantinople.

" For on the very day on which they had promised that they would surrender, Solomon and all the Turks, collected from neighboring and distant regions, suddenly fell upon us and attempted to capture our camp. However the count of St. Gilles, with the remaining Franks, made and attacks upon them and killed an Innumerable multitude. All the others fled in confusion. Our men, moreover, returning in victory and bearing many heads fixed upon pikes and spears, furnished a joyful spectacle for the people of God"

Late in the year of 1095 Pope Urban announced on Tuesday, November 27 that he would hold a public session to make a great announcement. This was the beginning of what was to be the First Crusade. After having painted a real grim or somber picture the Pope made his appeal. He thought that western Christendom should march to the rescue of the East. Rich and poor alike should go and they should leave off slaying each other and instead fight a great war. Supposedly they thought it was God's will and that God would lead them and take care of them. During his speech cries of "Dues le wolt! -- God wills it!" interrupted his speech. Just after the Pope ended his speech the bishop of Le Puy fell to his knees and asked permission to join the "Holy Expedition." Hundreds crowded up to later follow his example.

Overall, how Pope Urban organized

Some common words found in the essay are:
Pope Urban, East West, Holy Land, Land Muslims, Rome Christmas, Seljuk Turks, Needless Mediterranean, Eleventh Century, St Gilles, Christians God's, pope urban, people crusades, holy land, bishop le, seljuk turks, le puy, eleventh century, bishop le puy,
Approximate Word count = 1298
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)