The crusades are a series of very important events in the history of the Catholic Church as well as the world. There were a total of eight that spanned from the eleventh to late fifteenth century. These holy wars symbolize a great devotion to religious beliefs, a devotion so powerful that countless thousands died for their beliefs in defense of them. The first crusade ended with the conquering of Jerusalem in 1099. This paper will focus on the second and third crusade.
After the end of the first crusade with the conquering of Jerusalem in 1099, many of the holy armies returned to their kingdoms. “Only two princes remained in Jerusalem with their forces, while all the rest either returned home or set out to establish Christian principalities in the Mideast.” [1] Unfortunately, this lack of protection and fortification at the City of Jerusalem made it possible for the Muslims to attack again. Although the forces of Islam were defeated by the Christians in 1099, this lack of security allowed for the Muslims to recapture Edessa in 1144. Edessa was seen as a key position due to the fact that it was the closest city to Antioch. Antioch had been taken by the Christians after much hardship and death during the first crusade in 1097.
In 1146, endorsement of a second crusade began to spread across Europe. “King Louis VII of France and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (who had substantial land holdings of her own in southern France) prostrated themselves at the feet of Bernard in Vezelay in 1146, pledging themselves and their vassals to go on the crusade.” [2] Thus the begun the second crusade, but so did the disaster. Queen Eleanor insisted on accompanying her husband with his army on the crusade. She brought all of her ladies-in-waiting with a great abundance of luggage, which slowed the entire procession. Eventually, when the crusaders did arrive in Jerusalem they were met with great resistance. “By this time, the emperor in Constantinople feared the crusaders more than he feared the Turks, and had reached a treaty with the Turks, who were consequently free to concentrate on the westerners.” [3] The German and French armies were in disagreement and would not fight together, so the Turks were able to attack each army at a separate time. Overall the second crusade was a complete disaster.
The third Crusade began in 1187 when the Muslims reclaimed Jerusalem and saw the participation of many renowned historical figures. These included the Turkish general Saladin, Richard the Lionhearted, and Philip II. “Richard was born in 1157, the son of Kind Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, thereby receiving a heritage of stubbornness and strong will. In 1189 Henry died and Richard was crowned King of England.” [4] Upon being crowned king, Richard sold a great deal of what he owned and then immediately set off to fight in the crusades. “The English bureaucracy functioned well and Saladin tithes came pouring in, but according to the royal clerk, Roger of Howden, Richard ‘put up for sale everything he had'. Castles, titles, official offices – whole towns were all sold off – and the proceeds added to an impressively large treasury. His officials went about getting the biggest and best ships available.” [5] Richard captured Cyprus from the Moslems, which later became an excellent base for crusading forces.
In 1191 crusading forces besieged the town of Acre, which was a port directly outside of Jerusalem. “The allied armies captured Jerusalem’s port town of Acre, but the ordeal of laying siege cost them at least half of their men (mostly through disease), and those who remained seemed little disposed to fight on.” [6] After this victory Philip II returned home with his men, so it was only Richard the Lionhearted who remained. Richard was a man of action, hence the name “Lionhearted”, so he immediately began the next step in capturing Jerusalem. The Christians fought a number of battles along the Mediterranean cost in hopes of reaching Jerusalem.
There were a number of intense battles between King Richard’s forces and Saladin’s. “Saladin decided to launch a major attack on September 7 at Arsuf. Richard held his men in tight discipline to wear down the Turkish cavalry. The brunt of the attack was borne by the Knights of St. John in the rear.” [7] These brave nights broke the Turkish ranks and Richard led a series of charges as well. Thus, what at first seemed would be a defeat for the Christians, turned into their victory. In another battle Saladin tried to take back Jaffa. Saladin attacked with a force of seven thousand men against Kind Richard’s two thousand.
Despite the crushing odds facing Richard, he fought with great bravery and resolve. “For more than half the day his infantrymen fought off the charging horsemen. By mid-afternoon, Richard was actually able to lead an offensive attack. Saladin was so impressed by Richard’s bravery that when he saw Richard fall as his horse was killed under him, he sent a groom leading two fresh horses as a present from one king to another.” [8] The Turkish forces eventually retreated back to Jerusalem. After this battle, Kind Richard became gravely ill and both his own forces and that of Saladin’s were heavily exhausted. This caused them to sign a three-year truce, which gave pilgrims the right to visit Jerusalem in peace and allowed the Christian forces to keep the cities they had conquered.
“Beyond a doubt, the crusades, with their battles and military expeditions, played their part in the alienation between Christianity and other religions.” [9] The second and third crusade ultimately showed the world that Christians would still take up their cross's and follow the call of Christ to defend Christianity. Yes, there were several disasters and setbacks that occurred during these events, but also great perseverance and bravery. The actions of Richard the Lionhearted and his men were selfless as well as heroic, so heroic that they were recognized and praised by their enemy. We should all take inspiration from the heroes of the crusades and defend our faith whenever we are called to…
Vidmar, John. The Catholic Church Through The Ages. New York: Paulist Press, 2014.
Carrol, Anne W. Christ the King Lord of History. Charlotte, NC: TAN Books, 1994.
Billings, Malcolm. “The Crusades: Classic History Series: The War Against Islam 1096-1798.” Stroud: The History Press, 2016. eBook:https://web.s.ebscohost.com
Jaspert, Nikolas. “The Crusades.” New York: Routledge, 2006. eBook:https://web.s.ebscohost.com
[1] Vidmar, John. The Catholic Church Through The Ages. New York: Paulist Press, 2014, 132.
[2] Carrol, Anne W. Christ the King Lord of History. Charlotte, NC: TAN Books, 1994, 169.
[3] Vidmar, John. The Catholic Church Through The Ages. New York: Paulist Press, 2014, 132.
[4] Carrol, Anne W. Christ the King Lord of History. Charlotte, NC: TAN Books, 1994, 174.
[5] Billings, Malcolm. “The Crusades: Classic History Series: The War Against Islam 1096-1798.” Stroud: The History Press, 2016, Chapter 5. eBook:https://web.s.ebscohost.com
[6] Vidmar, John. The Catholic Church Through The Ages. New York: Paulist Press, 2014, 132.
[7]Carrol, Anne W. Christ the King Lord of History. Charlotte, NC: TAN Books, 1994, 175.
[8]Carrol, Anne W. Christ the King Lord of History. Charlotte, NC: TAN Books, 1994, 175.
[9]Jaspert, Nikolas. “The Crusades.” New York: Routledge, 2006, Concluding Chapter. eBook:https://web.s.ebscohost.com
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