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1/16/15
Chapter 9
The Crusades, Military
Orders and The Inquisition
“In no way is the Church to
be confused with the
political community ...
But, this said, we should
not conclude that the
message of salvation
entrusted to the Church
has nothing to say to the
body politic in order to
enlighten it with the
Gospel.”
~ John Paul II
The Crusades
A. The Fall of the Holy Land
1. 
Rise of Fatimite Muslims
in Egypt led to renewed
Christian persecutions in
first decades of 11th
century
2.  Seljuk Turks in 2nd half of
11th century, create new
militant Islamic nation
3.  Seljuks attack Christians
in Palestine and Syria
The Fall of the Holy Land
4.  In 1071, Turks annihilate
Byzantine army at Battle of
Manzikert & on verge to
take Constantinople
5.  With two-thirds of Christian
world now taken by Muslim
forces, Pope Blessed
Urban II addresses council
of Clermont to help Eastern
Christians in 1095
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The Fall of the Holy Land
6.  Pope believed Christianity had to defend itself
or be taken over by Islam
7.  Christian pilgrims to Holy Land were often
robbed, beaten or killed
8.  Pope St. Gregory VII was even ready to send
50,000 crusaders into the Holy Land but lay
investiture controversy made it impossible
9.  Objective: fend off Turkish expansion into
Byzantium & free the Holy Land for safe
pilgrimage
Motivation for the Crusaders
3.  Religious indulgences
– remission before
God of temporal
punishment due to
sins
4.  Other church
incentives – reduction
of taxes, dissolving of
debts, protection of
crusaders’ families
D. Byzantium’s Response
1.  Many westerners optimistic about Crusades &
relations between western and eastern churches
2.  Crusades allowed positive exchange of ideas &
culture
3.  The Eastern Empire feared the Crusades as a
threat against own territory
4.  After sack of Constantinople in 4th Crusade,
relations were ruined creating a rift between
Eastern and Western Churches
B. Motivation for the Crusaders
1.  Religion was a
major motivation
for soldiers
2.  Concept that God
would reward
those who fought
for the cause of
defending
Christendom
C. Preaching the Crusades
1.  Appeal to sinners
to join crusade as
means of
reconciliation with
God
2.  Peter the Hermit of
Amiens spoke of
the poor treatment
of Christians in
Palestine
E. Criticism
1. St. Bernard of
Clairvaux said
many soldiers
were far from
pious after 1st
crusade
2. Muslims and
Jews in Europe
subject to
violence
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Criticism
3. St. Francis of
Assisi tried to
convert Sultan
Malik-al-Kamil;
two became
friends suggesting
peaceful dialogue
in Holy Land
Outcome of Crusades
4.  Success in having
pilgrimages to Holy
Land easier with
Franciscans holding
key holy places
5.  Success in military
technology – castles,
siege engines,
catapults, etc.
F. Outcome of Crusades
1.  Failed in delivering
Holy Lands back to
Christians
2.  Success in holding
Turkish expansion
for 400 years
3.  Success in creating
Christian unity
transcending
nationality & race
Outcome of Crusades
6.  Crusades encouraged travel & fostered drive
to Asia – reach China by 13th century
7.  Technological & academic achievements
due to contact with Arabic world & Greek
medicine & math
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