Chapter 13 The Crusades 3-4 Days

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Chapter 13

The Crusades

3-4 Days

● Webster defined a pilgrim as “A wan- derer; a traveler; particularly, one that travels to a distance from his own country to visit a holy place, or to pay his devotion to the remains of dead saints.” His definition of a pilgrimage is “A long jour- ney, particularly a journey to some place deemed sacred and venerable, in order to pay devotion to the relics of some de- ceased saint. Thus in the middle ages, kings, princes, bishops, and others made pilgrimages to Jerusalem, in pious devo- tion to the Savior. . . .”

● “As the spiritual worship of the early

Christians was exchanged for the frivo- lous rites and idle ceremonies of later days, the possession of relics, and pilgrimages made to holy places, became ob- jects of eager desire, and substitutes for personal piety. Of all pilgrimages, that to the holy sepulcher of Jerusalem was the most frequently made, and considered the most meritorious. It was performed by multitudes of devotees from every part of Europe. After the holy city fell into the hands of the Saracens, the pilgrimages, though attended with more difficulty and danger, were still continued. . . .”⁴⁵

Emma Willard, Universal History Leading

Idea

Devoted pilgrims visited

the holy land.

Student Text, pages 57-58

For Reflection and Reasoning

● What is a pilgrim? How is a pilgrim dif- ferent from a traveler taking a vacation?

● Why did people go on pilgrimages?

What places were most important for a pilgrimage? Why?

● On a map, locate Rome and Jerusalem, to which pilgrimages were made.

● During early centuries there were very

few roads. People did not usually travel far from their homes. What means of transportation were available? Why would that have made travel challeng- ing? What dangers might have faced the travelers?

● How were pilgrims usually treated as they made their pilgrimages? Why?

● As we think about the history of the United States, who were the Pilgrims?

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Cultivating Student Mastery

In preparation for the next section, the student may do simple research on the Mohammedans. Write one paragraph on the Mohammedans, selecting from the following questions:

1. Who was Mohammed?

2. Where and when did he live?

3. How did the Mohammedan religion begin?

4. What two names are used for the religion begun by Mohammed?

5. Name some countries where Moham- medanism is the main religion.

6. Mohammedans often make pilgrimages. To what site do they travel? Why?

● Webster defines a crusade as “A mili- tary expedition undertaken by christians, for the recovery of the Holy Land, the scene of our Savior’s life and sufferings, from the power of infidels or Mohammed- ans. Several of these expeditions were carried on from Europe, under the ban- ner of the cross, from which the name originated.”

● “. . . Two years preceding the first crusade, pilgrimages had increased to an un- paralleled extent, and multitudes of every age, and rank, and sex, thronged the roads to Jerusalem.

“At this period, when the holy land became the possession of the Turkish hordes, new persecution arose. The pilgrims, who with toil and suffering had pressed their way from the most distant parts of Christendom, often found themselves on their arrival at the holy city, de- barred from entrance, by demands which they were unable to meet, and thus de- prived of the object for which their sufferings had been endured. Multitudes per- ished by want; and of the thousands who directed their enthusiastic way to Asia, few returned to their homes. The ac- counts which these brought of their inju- ries, roused the indignation of Europe against the infidel oppressors.

“. . . In the meantime, a spirit had been produced, and an institution had arisen more honorable to man, than any- thing merely human, which the world has ever known. This was the spirit of Chivalry, and the institution of knight- hood which, connected with Christianity, laid the foundation of a new and better order of things.”⁴⁶

Emma Willard, Universal History

● “The Turks . . . in the eleventh century, taking advantage of the dissensions of the Saracens, conquered Persia, captur- ing Bagdad in 1055. Previous to this they had carried their conquering arms as far as northern India. In 1090, they had sub- dued Asia Minor and Syria; and their empire extended from the Hellespont to the borders of Chinese Tartary. These Turks belonged to the tribe called Seljuks. . . .

“In 1076, Jerusalem, which had been in the possession of the Saracens for four centuries, was taken by the Seljuk Turks, who treated the pilgrims to the sepulchre of our Saviour with such insult and cruel- ty, that the Christian nations of Europe were roused to indignation, and sent against them those remarkable expedi- tions called the Crusades.”⁴⁷

John J. Anderson, A Manual of General History Leading

Idea

Battles for the cross

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● Review the map, Student Text page 33.

At the time of Christ, what empire was in control of Jerusalem?

● Review: Who were pilgrims? Why did they making their pilgrimages? To what places did they travel? Why did the pilgrims particularly want to go to Jerusa- lem? What is the holy land? Why did they think it was holy?

● Review from student research: Who were the Mohammedans? How did their religion begin?

● The religion of Mohammed, as written in the Koran, is a mixture of ideas from Judaism, Christianity, and Mohammed’s own thoughts. What does God say should be the basis of worship? What is the source of truth?

● When did the Arabs (also known as Saracens) conquer Palestine? How did they treat the pilgrims?

● When did the Turks conquer Jerusa- lem? How did they treat the pilgrims?

● Refer to the map on Student Text, page 33.

• Locate Rome and Jerusalem, the destination of many pilgrims and the crusaders.

• What route might European pil- grims and crusaders have taken to reach their destination?

• Using a modern map, identify the countries surrounding Israel.

● What is a crusade? What was the Latin source of the word crusade? What does it mean? Was that an appropriate name for these efforts? Why?

● Peter the Hermit was a monk. What is a monk? The Roman Catholic church en- couraged the Crusades. The pope even blessed groups of knights as they set out to battle for the holy land. Peter the Her- mit was one of many religious leaders who inspired people to join the Crusades.

● “. . . Peter the Hermit, a native of Ami- ens, in France, returned from Jerusalem, where his enthusiasm had been fed, and his resentment enkindled. He hastened to visit the pope, Urban II., and with his approbation the enthusiastic Peter went through Europe, publishing the sufferings of the pilgrims, and calling on Chris- tian warriors to have pity upon their brethren, to go up to battle in the name of the Lord, and no longer suffer the holy sepulcher to be defiled by infidels. The people listened to his moving appeal, till their hearts burned. . . . The flame spread from hamlet to hamlet, from city to city, from country to country, and everywhere the holy Peter was received with rapture.

. . . Urban II. addressed the assembled crowds, and with the most persuasive el-

oquence depicted the horrors of infidel oppression, the duty of arming in the de- fence of the holy cause, and the rewards of the faithful. The effect was overwhelm- ing. The crowds sent forth, simultaneous- ly, the shout, ‘God wills it.’ ‘God wills it.’

‘It is the will of God,’ replied the pope,

‘and let this memorable word, the inspi- ration surely of the Holy Spirit, be forev- er adopted as the battle-cry, to animate the devotion and courage of the champi- ons of Christ.’ The sign of the cross was immediately impressed on the right shoulders of the garments of the champi- ons, the pope pronounced the absolution of their sins, and the multitude separated to prepare for the war.”⁴⁸

Emma Willard, Universal History

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● “. . . If it is probable that they arrested the conquests of the Turks in Europe, then this blind and fanatical movement effected the greatest blessing to Christen- dom. It almost seems that the Christians were hurled into the Crusades by an irresistible fate, to secure a great ultimate good; or, to use Christian language, were sent as blind instruments by the Al- mighty to avert a danger they could not see. And if this be true, the inference is logical and irresistible that God uses even the wicked passions of men to effect his purposes, — as when the envy of Haman led to the elevation of Mordecai, and to the deliverance of the Jews from one of their greatest dangers.

“Another and still more noticeable result of the Crusades was the weakening of the power of those very barons who embarked in the wars. Their fanaticism recoiled upon themselves, and under- mined their own system. Nothing could have happened more effectually to loosen the rigors of the feudal system. It was the

baron and the knight that marched to Palestine who suffered most in the cur- tailment of the privileges which they had abused. . . . To gratify his passion of pun- ishing the infidels, whom he so intensely hated, the baron or prince was obliged to grant great concessions to the towns and villages which he ruled with an iron hand, in order to raise money for his equipment and his journey. He was not paid by Government as are modern sol- diers and officers. He had to pay his own expenses, and they were heavier than he had expected or provided for. Sometimes he was taken captive, and had his ran- som to raise. . . .

“As the result of this, when the baron came back from the wars, he found himself much poorer than when he went away, — he found his lands encumbered, his castle dilapidated, and his cattle sold.

In short, he was, as we say of a proud merchant now and then, ‘embarrassed in his circumstances.’”⁴⁹

John Lord, Beacon Lights of History

● What was the rallying cry of the Cru- sades?

● King Richard, from England, partici- pated in the Third Crusade. He was able to make a truce with the enemy, which allowed pilgrims to safely visit Jerusalem and the holy sepulcher for about three years.

Review: What name did Richard earn because of his bravery in battle?

● What is armor? What pieces of armor did a knight need to protect himself?

Why did the crusaders wear a red cross on their armor?

● How long did the Crusades last? Did they accomplish their goal?

Note: This lesson will require two classtimes.

Cultivating Student Mastery

1. During the time when pilgrims visited the holy land, what two groups of people controlled Palestine?

2. How were these two groups alike?

3. How did each group treat the pilgrims?

4. For what reason did the Europeans fight the Crusades?

Leading

Idea

The effects of the Crusades

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● How were the Crusades different from pilgrimages?

● Student Activity Page 13-1. Record the definition of a crusade. See Suggested Student Notes.

● Review: What was the purpose of the Crusades? Was that goal accomplished?

Why?

● As we study history, we can see how God used people, nations and events to accomplish His purpose, even though His plan may not have been obvious at the time.

• How did the Crusades affect com- merce in Europe? What happened when new goods were brought back to Europe by the crusaders? After the Crusades, there was greater interest in trade between Europe and Asia.

How would that have benefitted the seaport cities of Europe, particularly in Italy?

• How did the Crusades improve ed- ucation and learning in Europe?

• What is feudalism? How did the Crusades change the feudal system?

Why?

• How did the Crusades help prepare the way for fifteenth and sixteenth century explorers?

• Although the crusaders set out to free Palestine and Jerusalem from the Arabs and Turks, God used them to avoid a danger they did not even see.

● The Crusades brought knowledge of western Asia to Europe. Late in the 13th century, Marco Polo traveled across Asia as far as China. How did his travels affect Europe? How were his efforts used by God to open the door to the New World? (See The Mighty Works of God:

Liberty and Justice for All.)

Suggested Student Notes

Crusade — A military effort by Christians to recover the holy land.

Cultivating Student Mastery Complete Student Activity Page 13-1.

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Choose one of the following topics for further research:

1. Research the history of one of Israel’s neighboring countries.

• When did it become a nation?

• What names has it had during its history? What caused the change?

• What is the current capital? In the past, what was the capital?

• What is the prominent religion today?

• Is Christianity allowed in the nation?

2. Research the Crusades, identifying the following:

• The dates of the major Crusades

• The leaders of each Crusade

• The route of each Crusade

• Any major difficulty encountered

• The result(s) of the Crusade

Supplemental Activities