Download Pilgrims in Arms [VOD]

Crusades: Pilgrims in Arms [VOD]
Use the following terms & questions to guide your note-taking on the documentary
as you watch it. The emphasis will be on the origins of the First Crusade, and its
first few years in the late 11th century (ca. 1095-1097). You may also want to
compare the documentary with the class readings (textbook or handouts).
Background of Emperor Alexius I’s letter
 role of Seljuk Turks
 Church reforms at Cluny
 role of Pope Gregory VII (“papal monarchy”)
Urban II’s response to Alexius I’s letter
 Jesus’ words vs. Christian knights’ behavior?
 significance of Pope’s speech at Clermont (Nov 1095)?
Motives & justifications for crusaders
 who were leading knights
 shift in traditions of “holy wars”
 remittance of sins/war as prayer
The People’s Crusade [aka Peasants’ Crusade]
 Peter the Hermit
 massacres of Jews (Worms, May 1096)
 Alexius I’s response to mob (Constantinople)
 assault on Nicaea (end of People’s Crusade)
Official Papal forces (professional knights)
 who were they?
 Alexius I’s response to crusader’s
arrival? (Constantinople)
 role of cultural differences (East
versus West)?
Muslim Turks versus Christian knights
 role of warhorses, archers, chain
mail, etc.
 who was Kilij Arslan
 siege on Nicaea by crusaders
 Alexius’ response
Anna Comnena’s account, The Alexiad