Crusades were undertaken by Western European Christians in the period from 1095 by 1291. Their objective was the liberation of the Holy Land (Palestine) from the Muslims.The Crusades are considered the most important historical stage of the Middle Ages.
The events of the time involved and the commoners and kings, and the servants and knights, clergy and feudal aristocracy.Thus, joined Crusades in the Middle Ages all the existing sectors of society.
take a vow of people had different motives.Someone wanted to be rich, someone longed for adventure, many moved exclusively religious feelings.
Heading into the Crusades, the Crusaders on the clothes sewed a red cross on the chest, back of them - on the back.
Legends have surrounded this historic era aura of romanticism, courage, chivalry and greatness.However, many stories are overblown.In addition, there is the fact that, in spite of the heroism, the appeal of the Popes and unshakable faith in its beginning, Christians have failed to liberate the Holy Land.Instead, their campaigns have led to the fact that Muslims are more firmly established in the position of the undisputed rulers of Palestine.
reasons for the Crusades.
start putting popes.They were considered the leaders of all such events.Pope and other masterminds promised earthly and heavenly rewards to those who are willing to expose themselves to danger for the sake of this holy enterprise.Attracting volunteers was held against the backdrop prevailed at the time of religious fervor in Europe.Although the motives of the volunteers, they were convinced that the fight for a just cause.
The immediate cause of the beginning of the crusades was the growing power of the state of the Seljuk Turks.In 1070-ies the power conquered lands of Asia Minor and the Middle East.After these came from Central Asia began to expand the boundaries of their territory.Muslims threatened the Byzantine Empire, which forced them to turn to the ruler of Western Christians for help.
Conquest Seljuk Turks were against the general Western European religious revival in 10-11 centuries.
In the 11th century greatly increased the number of pilgrims to the Holy Land."Invalid Turks" was portrayed as a defiler of ancient shrines, the barbarian pagan.
Many barons and kings saw in the Middle East peace widest possibilities.They assumed that for the liberation of the Holy Land, they will be rewarded in power, income, land.Moreover, it is expanding in many countries the practice of inheritance according to the birthright.Thus, many of the younger sons, particularly in northern France, is not expected to participate in the division of the land-lords fathers.Participation is on a crusade gave them hope for the acquisition of land, and with it the position in society.
Crusade for peasant was an opportunity to get rid of a lifetime of dependence.Becoming cooks and servants, they formed convoys of troops of the Crusaders.
History of the Crusades began in 1095.Pope Urban 2 proclaimed the first movement on the Council of Clermont.
total of eight campaigns.According to some accounts in 1212 made a crusade even teenagers.Their leader was a shepherd from Etienne Klua.According to legend, they assumed that their faith and innocence commit that could not have armed adult.According to one source, after the ships reached the shores of Egypt's children, teenagers shipowners sold into slavery.This Crusade indicate different sources in different ways.
Movies Christians stopped in 1291 after the capture of Muslims of Acre.
Despite the fact that the Crusaders were unable to achieve in the early military expeditions purposes, their campaigns have made a whole historical epoch, had an impact on various aspects of life in Europe.
