Prominent Popes of Medieval Europe

The Popes, Crusades & Pilgrimages

of Medieval Europe

Ms. Malloff’s Social Studies 8 class

Who were the Popes?

• Pope is head of the Catholic Church

• Had enormous influence over all of Western Europe (Christiandom)

• Popes supported & advised kings (Charlemagne)

Pope’s Power• Popes thought they had supreme

authority over all the people of Christiandom including Kings

and Nobles.

• This was based on the idea that Christ’s apostle, Peter, was the first “Pope” & represented Christ on earth.

Pope Urban II called the Crusades,“Holy Wars,” (1096-1200) to:

• Purpose: to drive Muslims out of the Holy Land of Jerusalem, in Israel.

• Restore Holy Land for Christian Pilgrims who liked to visit there.

• Give knights a purposeful mission.• To unite Christians under him.

Crusade!

Jerusalem is a holy cityTo Muslims, Jews,

And Christians. It isLocated in Israel.

Difference between a Crusade and a

Pilgrimage• Crusade was a holy war, fought

in Jerusalem against Muslims

• Pilgrimage was a peaceful visit to a holy place (church, shrine) where a saint was buried or holy event took place.

pilgrimage

Who were the Crusaders?• Serfs who wanted a

change from their mundane lives

• Children who believed in the idea

• Women & nuns who believed in the idea

• Knights who wanted something to fight for.

120Crusade

JerusalemJerusalem is here.

There is fighting betweenPalestinian Muslims & Jews

For this territory.

Middle East

Crusaders in Jerusalem

What do you notice taking placeIn this painting?

Crusaders

What Happened?• Christians saw

Muslims as “infidels”

• “Infidel” is someone who doesn’t share your religious belief.

• Muslims saw Christians as infidels, too.

Results of the Crusades

• Failure to win back the Holy Land.

• Decline of Pope’s prestige & feudalism.

• Interest in other places

ideas, and cultures.

What do you think?

• Were Crusades a poor decision? Good decision? Why or why not?

• Should you impose your ideas on someone else?

• Were there some good things that happened as a result?

• Would you have supported the idea of Crusading?

The End