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The Crusades
The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religiously-sanctioned military campaigns waged by Christian Europe (particularly the
French and the Holy Roman Empire).
Fought to restore Christian control of the Holy Land were fought over a period of 200 years (1095 and 1291).
Jerusalem
Jerusalem shown on modern world map
ChristiansIt was the place Jesus
had lived,
been crucified, buried
and rose to heaven
from.
Pilgrimages were very
important at this time
and Jerusalem was the
holiest place to visit.
Muslims
Their leader, Prophet
Muhammad ascended
to heaven from
Jerusalem.
Muslim Arabs had
control of the city from
600CE
Why was there a Crusade?
Peace
The Arabs had always allowed the Christian
pilgrims access to the Holy City.
Jews and Christians were welcome to live in
this country called Palestine if they paid their
taxes like everyone else.
Everything changes in
1071
The Turks took control of Jerusalem and the
Holy Land of Palestine
They were Muslims and declared that no-
one of any other religion could enter
Christian pilgrims returned home with stories
of their fights with the Turks
The Turks
Pope Urban II
In 1096 he encouraged
Christians to fight Muslims
and gain back Jerusalem.
He told them they would go
to Heaven if they died in
battle.
They would be allowed to
keep any land they gained
in battle.
Many of the crusaders were Franks (French) (Pope Urban II was French), and while there were some
knights, most of the crusaders were
peasants.
“All men going there who die, whether on the journey or while fighting the pagans [non-Christians], will
immediately be forgiven their sins”
Death in Middle Ages
People lived their lives scared of death
Disease was all around them
Medicine was not very good
So a guaranteed place in Heaven was something
everyone wanted
How did you go on a
Crusade?Knights would prepare
by fighting in
tournaments
When ready they would
kneel and make a
promise to God that
they would try and
capture Jerusalem and
visit the place where
Jesus was buried
Jews and Muslims alike were slaughtered following the fall. Jerusalem was held by the crusaders for about
200 years.
In 1099, Jerusalem fell to a siege and was taken over by the crusaders who were slowed
down only by greed (plundering).
The Crusades: Why did they happen?
Why did the first crusade happen?
Who went on the crusades? Why did they go?
When did the crusades start?
Christians and Muslims
BibleJesus ChristGodAmenChurchChristian
MuslimAllahMohammedMosqueKoranAllah-uh-akhbar
Draw a line connecting the Christian “thing” to it’s Muslim equal.
Who was the prophet Mohammed?
Who was the priest Jesus Christ?
