Crusades

The Crusades were a series of military campaigns in the Middle Ages that were undertaken by Western European Christians. These campaigns were generally aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim rule. The Crusaders were motivated by religious zeal, a desire for adventure, and a healthy dose of ignorance.

Origins

The Crusades began in the late 11th century when Pope Urban II called for a “Crusade” to take back the Holy Land from the Muslims. Urban promised those who fought in the Crusades that they would be forgiven for their sins and guaranteed a place in heaven.

Folly & Folly 2

The First Crusade was a great success, and the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099. However, subsequent Crusades were less successful. Crusaders had a tendency to get lost, wander aimlessly around the desert, and get killed by local tribes.

Crusading Spirit & Efforts

Despite their many failures, the Crusaders continued to believe in their cause. They were convinced that God was on their side and that they would ultimately triumph over the infidels. They were also inspired by chivalric ideals, like courtly love and loyalty.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the Crusades accomplished very little. They did not manage to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule, and they left a legacy of mistrust and animosity between Christians and Muslims that persists to this day.

But let’s be honest, they did provide some excellent material for Monty Python’s Flying Circus sketches, so at least we got a laugh out of it.