Crusades :: essays research papers

CrusadesThe Crusades began in 1088 when Urban II preached the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont. The reason for such a mass following of people to leave their homes and croak to the Holy Land to fight is unknown. There are numerous plausible causes, which will be discussed in this paper. The reason the Pope preached the Crusades originally was the supposed terror of Muslim rule. In truth the Muslims and Christians in the Holy Land had lived peacefully for years, but the Pope was in any case a politician. Many believe that his motive was to cumulate political power by gaining control of all of the Muslim territories. This feat was accomplished by the and of 1099 and four upstart states were set up after the outset crusade had ended.It is fairly easy to see why the Pope would want to incite the crusades, but why would normal people leave all they had to withstand out this Holy War? Many people believed (because this is what the Pope told them) that all of their sins woul d be forgiven if they carried out this momentous task. They were practically guaranteed a place in heaven. otherwise crusaders went in search of gold and riches that they would take after plundering the Jewish and Muslim villages. Many younger sons of aristocrats went in search of land because their one-time(a) brother had inherited the family&8217s land. An additional reason for men and women to go fight may have been pride. &8220Keeping up with the Jones&8217s is not a new concept. Many people may have felt pressured to join the crusades along with their neighbors and after committing to go one could not turn back with the penalty of excommunication. The crusades also created business for maritime cities.