The Crusades
During the Dark Ages, Muslim influence spread throughout Africa and Eastern Europe. The quick spread caused Christians to become more and more fearful of Muslim invasion. As new Turk leaders limited pilgrimages to the Holy Land and the Byzantine Empire became more susceptible to attack, the inevitability of the Crusades grew. The Crusades were Christian Military expeditions to recapture the Holy Land of Palestine. The Crusades had two main goals. The first was to gain permanent control of Palestine. The second goal was to protect the Byzantine Empire. Additionally, many Crusaders hoped to increase their influence, land and wealth. Although the Crusaders won several battles and temporarily set up a Crusader Kingdom, the victories came with great losses and costs while having little permanent effect.During the 600's Arab Muslims took control of the Holy Lands of Palestine (including Jerusalem). These lands were sacred to Christians because of the many holy sites and relics. The Arab rulers generally permitted Christians to make trips to the various shrines as a result. During the 1000's Turks from central Asia came and conquered both Palestine and Asia Minor. The Turks crushed Byzantine forces, and the emp
ban called a meeting of church leaders in Clermont, France. It was at the Council of Clermont that Pope Urban appealed for a Crusade. After an inspiring sermon in which he pleaded for the unity of Western Europe and made promises of spiritual and economic awards, the crowds responded with fervent roars of "God Wills It!" The desire to fight for Christianity grew intense and spread quick. By the thousands, nobles, merchants, priests, peasants, monks, and knights alike joined the cause. Each with their own personal intentions, they marched off to fight the Muslims. The First Crusade went from 1096 to 1099. The majority of the forces sent by Urban were made up of well-trained knights from France and Normandy. There were several key leaders including Godfrey of Bouillon. In Constantinople, the Byzantine armies joined the crusaders. In 1097, the collective forces defeated the Muslims in Nicaea. The army then divided. The Crusaders fought many difficult and bloody battles as they pushed towards Jerusalem. After an especially difficult battle they regained Antioch. Many died there, while others disheartened by hunger and death, deserted. The discovery of the Lance, said to be the one that wounded Jesus, inspired the Crusaders to push on in the face of Turkish attack. In 1099 the crusaders arrived at Jerusalem. After six weeks of fighting, the Holy city was recovered. Most of the Crusaders returned to Western Europe. The remaining leaders split the land up into what would be called the Latin States of the Crusaders. to include eastern grown peaches and spinach. Intended to protect the Byzantine Empire, the Crusades all but sentenced it to collapse. Angered by the Christian attacks, the Turks pushed harder into Europe, capturing Constantinople, and insuring their long-term existence in Europe. ire was in fear of being conquered by the fierce Turkish Muslims. Dissimilar to the Arab Mu
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Approximate Word count = 1290
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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