The Holy Wars - The Crusades

The word 'crusade' comes from the French word 'crois,' meaning cross. Those who fought against Muslims cut out red crosses, sewing them to their tunics. The word crois changed over time to croisades or crusades. The Crusades was a Holy War.

The Crusades simply were Christian campaigns to reinstate a Christian hold over the holy place of Jerusalem. Whereas for the Muslims, it was a fight to keep hold of it. This struggle consisted of eight crusades in total, spanning from 1096 to 1291, a 200 year plight.

What is the importance of Jerusalem for both Christians and Muslims? Jerusalem is known as the City of God for Christians. Jesus had been born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem and had lived there for the majority of his adult life. This therefore meant that Jerusalem was a revered place for Christians. For Muslims Jerusalem was of importance because Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had visited Jerusalem in his time. Specifically the Dome of Rock was of great importance to Muslims, where it is said the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had prayed.

The Dome of Rock

In 1076, the Muslims had captured this holy city. This led Pope Urban II to announce the First Crusade, which would be a military move to restore Christian access to the holy place of Jerusalem and its surrounding areas.

First Crusade 1095-1099 Many who fought had been told that if they killed to reclaim Jerusalem, they would go straight to heaven as their fight was for God. The crusaders travelled through Turkey, covering hundreds of miles. When water ran out, they had no other option but to drink their urine, animal blood or sewage water. Disease was rampant and conditions terrible with many suffering from dysentery. Once the Crusaders passed the walls of Jerusalem, according to recorded witnesses, Jerusalem was ankle deep in blood. Muslim records say that 70,000 Muslims were killed in the attack and treasure was taken from the Dome of Rock. As the Christians were successful, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was created. After the Crusade they continued to attempt to oust Muslims from areas around Jerusalem.

Second Crusade 1147-1149 The Second Crusade was a bid to defeat the ongoing threat of Muslims in the Holy Lands.

Third Crusade 1187-1192 This Crusade began with the Muslims uniting under Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria and Jerusalem was retook. The Third Crusade was an attempt to reverse this loss of Jerusalem. However Jerusalem remained under Muslim control.

Fourth Crusade 1202-1204 This was another attempt to recover Jerusalem, but yet again it failed. Although not the initial intention, Constantinople was conquered.

Fifth Crusade 1217-1221 The Fifth Crusade was clear proof of the determined Christian nature to regain the Holy Land of Jerusalem. Here there was an attempt to break the unity of Egypt so the Muslims would be forced to release Jerusalem to the Christians. However the Crusaders failed yet again and were forced to surrender and leave Egypt, and agree to an eight year truce. Their forces had been trapped in a canal by the flooding of the Nile and the remaining soldiers were captured by Ayyubid Sultan Al-Kamil's forces. This Crusade was specifically important as it marked the last crusade organised by the Church.

Sixth Crusade 1228-1229 This Crusade was not full of many battles and saw the Christian recapture of the Holy Land. Emperor Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor made a peace treaty with Al-Kamil, ruler of Egypt. Preoccupied with a Syrian rebellion, he agreed that for a decade long truce, Jerusalem, Nazareth and other towns would be returned to Christian control. In return, Frederick pledged to protect Al-Kamil against all enemies. Muslims, however, remained in control of their sacred areas.

Seventh Crusade 1248-1254 15 years after the success of the Sixth Crusade, the Holy Land was recaptured by the Turks in 1244. King Louis IX launched the crusade to free the land once again. His forces were defeated and the King captured. A ten year truce and ransom for the King was arranged.

Eighth Crusade 1270-1272 This was the last major attempt to take the Holy Land. In the attempt, King Louis IX died. His brother, Charles, began negotiating with the Bey of Tunis. The Crusaders agreed with the Sultan to retreat, for free trade with the city and safe residence for monks and priests in the area. The future king of England, Edward I attempted to undertake the Crusade from Louis IX, however his small forces did not make much difference. The death of his father caused him to return to England and the fall of the Crusader base in Palestine marked the end of the Crusades for the Holy Land. The time Edward I entered is also known as the Ninth Crusade.

The Crusades showed at its simplest level, the extent to which both Muslims and Christians would go to preserve their presence in the Holy Lands. However the Crusades were also important as they would have long lasting effects on the civilizations that followed.

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