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The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims over control of the Holy Land (Jerusalem) and took place between 1095 – 1291. 
The Holy Land was and is very important to the major religions of Islam, Judaism and Christianity and because of this many wars have been fought over the years for control of the Holy Land. 
 
The word ‘Crusade’ is related to the word ‘Cross’ and means ‘A Christian Holy War’. 
 
Although there were many crusades to take control of the Holy Land, there were nine major crusades between 11th and 13th centuries, although smaller crusades would continue into the 16th century. 
 
First Crusade: 1096 – 1099 
 
In 1095 Alexius I, ruler of the Byzantine Empire called for help to defend his empire against Seljuk Turks. Pope Urban II supported him and preached that all Christians should join the war and defeat the Turks. This gave Pope Urban II the opportunity to gain control of Jerusalem and he promised the people access to sites in the Holy Land currently under Muslim control and also that if they fought, god would forgive them for their sins and should they die, they would go straight to heaven. 
 
Christians believing Pope Urban II marched to Jerusalem, attacking many other cities on the way. 
Over thirty thousand Christians from Europe fought in the First Crusade made up of Knights, Peasants and Commoners and in 1099 they took control of Jerusalem, killing many Jewish and Muslim inhabitants. 
 
Following this, ‘crusader states’ were established: 
The Kingdom of Jerusalem 
County of Edessa 
Principality of Antioch 
County of Tripoli. 
 
Following this there were some smaller crusades, however many years were peaceful. 
 
Second Crusade: 1144 – 1155 
 
In 1144 the town of Edessa was attacked and captured by Turks. This led to a French army led by King Louis VIII and a German army led by Conrad III marching to the Holy Land in 1147. They fought many battles on the way with little success and were finally defeated. 
 
Third Crusade: 1189 – 1192 
 
In 1187 Saladin (Sultan of Egypt) fought against the crusader forces at the Battle of Hattin. He killed or captured the majority of crusader forces and took control of the Holy Land. Following this Pope Gregory VIII called for a new crusade led by Philip II of France, Richard I of England (following the death of Henry II) and Frederick I, Holy Emperor of Rome. 
 
Frederick I, died on the way to the Holy Land in June 1190 and many of the German Crusaders, grief stricken over his death returned home. 
 
Philip II and Richard I, arrived in the Holy Land in 1191 but lacking in men needed to recapture Jerusalem, Philip II left. Richard I however stayed and signed a Treaty with Saladin on 2 September 1192 allowing Christians safe travel through Jerusalem. Following this Treaty, Richard I left in October 1192. 
 
Fourth Crusade: 1202 – 1204 
 
Pope Innocent III summoned European rulers in 1202 to attack Jerusalem and depose the Muslims. Few rulers answered his summons however many knights took a crusaders vow to fight. Pope Innocent IIIs plan was to invade the Holy Land through Egypt. He forbade the Crusaders from committing any atrocities against Christian neighbours, however many went against this and attacked and pillaged the city of Zara. 
 
While in Zara, Crusaders were bribed into changing their plans and travelling to Constantinople, where they attempted to place Alexius IV on the throne. What followed were outbreaks of violence and the city of Constantinople was pillaged in 1204. 
 
Fifth Crusade: 1217 – 1221 
 
Even after the disaster of the Fourth Crusade, Pope Innocent III called again for a Fifth Crusade to take back control of the Holy Land, unfortunately he died in 1216 before this could be accomplished. His successor Pope Honorius III continued the fight and organised armies from Bavaria, Hungary and Austria. Further alliances were formed and the city of Damietta in Egypt was attacked. Although there was initial success, the crusaders were unable to take the city and following this many crusaders died from disease. 
 
The remaining army alliances marched to Cairo, but this ended in disaster and the armies eventually surrendered. 
 
Sixth Crusade: 1228 – 1229 
 
This crusade involved much talking and little actual fighting. 
 
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II agreed a Peace Treaty with the Turks. It was a treaty of compromise and resulted in ten years without fighting. 
 
Seventh Crusade: 1248 – 1254 
 
This crusade was led by King Louis IX of France. At this time France were considered to be one of the strongest states in Europe, however his crusade failed and he was ransomed and then left Egypt. 
 
Eighth Crusade: 1270 
 
Louis IX of France led this, his 2nd crusade in 1270. This crusade did not make it to Syria and Louis IX died during the journey. 
 
Ninth Crusade: 1271 – 1272 
 
Edward, son of Henry III of England set sail but arrived too late to help Louis IX of France with his crusade of Tunis. He continued onto the Holy Land arriving on 9 May 1271. Edward only had a small army and was reliant on alliances to increase it. He did have some success in battle but finally agreed a truce a year later in 1272. 
 
Edward survived an assassination attempt against him, killing the attempted assassin, he then left the city of Acre in September 1272. 
 
Edward arrived home in England in 1274 and was crowned King Edward I of England on 19 August 1274 following the death of his father. 
 
Tagged as: Junior Middle Ages
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