After the Carolingian Renaissance and into the High Middle Ages, the Catholic Church had become the utmost driving force in Europe. Christian conversions continued to spread into the Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and as far as Russia. With support from the Holy Roman Empire, the church had become a well respected and protected institution. It also became an extremely influential power regarding the empire's government. However by the late 10th century and into the 11th century a growing tension began to grow within the episcopal structure. This difference between east and west became a significant turning point for the Catholic Church. It eventually led to a military pursuit, within the Middle East, to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem.
The East-West Schism
The religious tension between east-west date back to the fall of the Roman Empire, and the foundation of the sacred city of Constantinople. Throughout the middle ages, the Byzantine Empire had become the new power of the east, and was also influenced by the spread of Christianity. Different religious interpretations began to grow between Rome and Constantinople. One of the biggest of these conflicts was regarding the Pentarchy, the primary center of the church. The Byzantine Empire of course, felt it should be in their city, instead of Rome. Then there was the issue of the "Filioque" a disagreement over the dualism of God and his son. Other major conflicts were regarding a difference in language, culture, unleavened bread, celibacy, and other liturgical practices.
In the year 1054 this tension finally reached it's breaking point, when both sides excommunicated one another, and split into two separate factions; the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Hagia Sophia of Constantinople became the new focal point for this Eastern Christianity led by it's Ecumenical Patriarch. For the years come, both sides have worked towards reconciliation and reunification.
First Crusade
In the year 1048 a military conflict began between the Byzantine Empire and the rising Persian power of the Seljuk Turks. This Byzantine-Seljuk War lasted for several decades, and resulted in territorial losses for the Byzantine Empire. In the year 1095, Emperor Alexius I, appealed to the Holy Roman Empire for military assistance. At the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II decided it was in the best interest of the Catholic Church to aid their fellow Christians, and declare war on the Muslims. Although the initial campaign was to defend Constantinople, the crusaders later changed their objective changed to regain the holy land of Jerusalem. This began the first of a long series of Holy Crusades.
The Crusader army consisted of French and Norman knights led by Godfrey of Bouillon, and set off in the year 1096. The first major battle against the Turks was at the Siege of Antioch in 1097, which lasted nearly a year, and was a decisive victory for the Crusaders. This battle brought an end to the war against the Seljuk Turks, however not an end to the crusade. The next objective was to recapture Jerusalem from the Fatimid Caliphate. In the year 1099, during the Siege of Jerusalem, the Crusader army quickly stormed and captured the holy city. This marked the end of the First Crusade and a victory for the Roman Catholic Church, however only the beginning of a long conflict with both the Byzantine Empire and the Muslims. The Crusaders established a presence in Jerusalem, Antioch, Tripoli, and other Middle Eastern cities that would only ignite further conflict.
Second Crusade
After the Siege of Jerusalem, there was a period of peace for several decades, until 1144 when the Muslims conquered the town of Edessa. This led to an outcry in the West, led by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and in 1147 Pope Eugene II declared a second crusade to recapture the county of Edessa. The Crusaders armies received heavy opposition from the Turks, and little support from the Byzantines. They won several battles in the Western Portugal territories, Iberian, and Baltic Peninsulas; however lost their campaign in the Middle east, from Damascus to Edessa. This failure in the east, gave the Muslims a new advantage, that would eventually lead to their counter-offensive in the Third Crusade.
Third Crusade
Following their victories during the Second Crusade, Muslims began to unite into a single state intent on reconquering their land from the Crusaders. This unification was led by the chivalrous Saladin, who established the Ayyubid Dynasty in the year 1171. They established an alliance with the Byzantines, who had also grown frustrated with the crusaders. In 1187, Saladin began his offensive campaign in the Battle of Hattin followed shortly after with the Siege of Jerusalem. Balian of Ibelin was forced to surrender the city of Jerusalem over to Saladin and the Muslim armies. This infuriated the Catholic church and the Western Empires who declared a third crusade in the year 1189.
The Third Crusade was headed up by three different armies; The German army of Frederick Barbarossa, the French army of Philip II Augustus, and the English army of King Richard the Lionhearted. The German Army was quickly discouraged when their leader, Barbarossa, drowned on the march to the Holy Land. Richard and Philip II pressed onward towards the Holy Land, and were victorious at the Siege of Acre. Yet after this battle King Philip II had to abandon the crusade due to illness and tensions with King Richard.
King Richard the Lionhearted pressed fervently through the Middle East, winning numerous battles. In the year 1191, Following his victory at the Battle of Arsuf, he established his new headquarters in the city of Jaffa. this began a series of negotiations with Saladin, who was extremely cordial with the Western crusaders. By this point King Richard realized that he would not have sufficient resources to sustain Jerusalem, even if his army had re-captured it. He thus made a treaty with Saladin to allow for trade and a safe return home for his army.
Fourth Crusade
Pope Innocent III declared a fourth crusade in the year 1202, with once again the intent to recapture the holy land of Jerusalem. This crusade was quite significant however, because the crusaders averted their offensive towards the Byzantine Empire, and the capital city of Constantinople. This was due to insufficient funds and a bribe from the deposed Byzantine emperor, Isaac II Angelos, who wanted to return to the throne. The crusader army accepted this offer, and began their campaign on Constantinople, with hopes to reunite it with Rome. Although there was immense tension between the East-West, this action infuriated the Roman Catholic Church, and Pope Innocent III excommunicated the crusader army.
The battle for Constantinople began with the Siege of 1203. The Crusader Army was able to defeat the Byzantine army, and placed Isaac II and his son Alexios IV Angelos on the throne. It wasn't long however, until the Byzantine people rebelled against this invasion and imprisoned Isaac II and Alexios. In 1204, the Crusader Army began a second assault on the city of Constantinople, that led to it's eventual fall. The Crusaders thus established the Latin Empire with Constantinople that became a new state for the Roman Catholic Church. After collecting the spoils of war, Pope Innocent III, recognized this state and welcomed the crusaders back to the church. This Latin Empire lasted until 1261, and was eventually reclaimed by the Byzantines.
Other Crusades
Following the Fourth Crusade, the Christian idea of reclaiming Jerusalem began to lose it's fervor, however there were still many more campaigns that followed. The Fifth Crusade took place from 1213-1221, and resulted in victory for the Egyptians and the Ayyubid Empire. The Sixth Crusade was a diplomatic operation, led by Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire, that successfully relinquished Jerusalem territory to the Crusaders. This territory however was later captured once again by the Muslims, in 1244.
The Frankish Kingdom of King Louis IX waged a Seventh Crusade, in 1248 which was an utmost failure for the crusaders. The Eight Crusade was a continuation of the previous one, and also led to the death of King Louis IX. In 1271, the Kingdom of France once again waged another war, in the Ninth Crusade, which resulted in another Muslim Victory, and the final significant crusade. In the years to follow the crusader states eventually fell to Muslim control.
Throughout this medieval period, there were other Christian crusades, with different goals. Such as the Albigensian Crusade in 1209 to eliminate the gnostic movement of Catharism. There were also numerous Northern Crusades in the Scandinavian territories against pagan leaders. One final noteworthy crusade, believed to have taken place in the year 1212, was a youth campaign, known as the Children's Crusade. The intent was for a band of children to peacefully reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem, however believed to have ended horrifically.
The Holy Military Orders
An interesting thing that occurred during these religious wars, was the formation of numerous military orders. Many of these orders were endorsed by the Catholic Church, and consisted of highly trained warriors who fought and defended the Christian faith. One of the most famous of these Holy Orders was the Knights Templar. They were formed in 1119, advocated by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and rose to prominence during the Third Crusade. They were the most skilled fighters in the battlefield, with a distinctive white mantle and a red cross.The order eventually disbanded in 1314 with the end of the crusades.
Another significant military order were the Teutonic Knights, formed in Germany in 1190. This order also played a critical role throughout the crusades. It's military order eventually declined in the 1400s, however it still remains as a Catholic religious order in present day.
Many of these religious knights were not only skilled fighters, yet also skilled in medical and spiritual practice as well. They played an essential role in conversions and the dispersion of faith through war-torn areas. These warrior-monks were the ultimate weapon of the church, with a duty to save humanity and purge the world from non-believers. This age of war, purging, torture, and corruption is no doubt the darkest period of the Catholic institution.
The East-West Schism
The religious tension between east-west date back to the fall of the Roman Empire, and the foundation of the sacred city of Constantinople. Throughout the middle ages, the Byzantine Empire had become the new power of the east, and was also influenced by the spread of Christianity. Different religious interpretations began to grow between Rome and Constantinople. One of the biggest of these conflicts was regarding the Pentarchy, the primary center of the church. The Byzantine Empire of course, felt it should be in their city, instead of Rome. Then there was the issue of the "Filioque" a disagreement over the dualism of God and his son. Other major conflicts were regarding a difference in language, culture, unleavened bread, celibacy, and other liturgical practices.
In the year 1054 this tension finally reached it's breaking point, when both sides excommunicated one another, and split into two separate factions; the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Hagia Sophia of Constantinople became the new focal point for this Eastern Christianity led by it's Ecumenical Patriarch. For the years come, both sides have worked towards reconciliation and reunification.
First Crusade
In the year 1048 a military conflict began between the Byzantine Empire and the rising Persian power of the Seljuk Turks. This Byzantine-Seljuk War lasted for several decades, and resulted in territorial losses for the Byzantine Empire. In the year 1095, Emperor Alexius I, appealed to the Holy Roman Empire for military assistance. At the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II decided it was in the best interest of the Catholic Church to aid their fellow Christians, and declare war on the Muslims. Although the initial campaign was to defend Constantinople, the crusaders later changed their objective changed to regain the holy land of Jerusalem. This began the first of a long series of Holy Crusades.
The Crusader army consisted of French and Norman knights led by Godfrey of Bouillon, and set off in the year 1096. The first major battle against the Turks was at the Siege of Antioch in 1097, which lasted nearly a year, and was a decisive victory for the Crusaders. This battle brought an end to the war against the Seljuk Turks, however not an end to the crusade. The next objective was to recapture Jerusalem from the Fatimid Caliphate. In the year 1099, during the Siege of Jerusalem, the Crusader army quickly stormed and captured the holy city. This marked the end of the First Crusade and a victory for the Roman Catholic Church, however only the beginning of a long conflict with both the Byzantine Empire and the Muslims. The Crusaders established a presence in Jerusalem, Antioch, Tripoli, and other Middle Eastern cities that would only ignite further conflict. Second Crusade
After the Siege of Jerusalem, there was a period of peace for several decades, until 1144 when the Muslims conquered the town of Edessa. This led to an outcry in the West, led by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and in 1147 Pope Eugene II declared a second crusade to recapture the county of Edessa. The Crusaders armies received heavy opposition from the Turks, and little support from the Byzantines. They won several battles in the Western Portugal territories, Iberian, and Baltic Peninsulas; however lost their campaign in the Middle east, from Damascus to Edessa. This failure in the east, gave the Muslims a new advantage, that would eventually lead to their counter-offensive in the Third Crusade.
Third Crusade
The Third Crusade was headed up by three different armies; The German army of Frederick Barbarossa, the French army of Philip II Augustus, and the English army of King Richard the Lionhearted. The German Army was quickly discouraged when their leader, Barbarossa, drowned on the march to the Holy Land. Richard and Philip II pressed onward towards the Holy Land, and were victorious at the Siege of Acre. Yet after this battle King Philip II had to abandon the crusade due to illness and tensions with King Richard.
King Richard the Lionhearted pressed fervently through the Middle East, winning numerous battles. In the year 1191, Following his victory at the Battle of Arsuf, he established his new headquarters in the city of Jaffa. this began a series of negotiations with Saladin, who was extremely cordial with the Western crusaders. By this point King Richard realized that he would not have sufficient resources to sustain Jerusalem, even if his army had re-captured it. He thus made a treaty with Saladin to allow for trade and a safe return home for his army.
Fourth Crusade
Pope Innocent III declared a fourth crusade in the year 1202, with once again the intent to recapture the holy land of Jerusalem. This crusade was quite significant however, because the crusaders averted their offensive towards the Byzantine Empire, and the capital city of Constantinople. This was due to insufficient funds and a bribe from the deposed Byzantine emperor, Isaac II Angelos, who wanted to return to the throne. The crusader army accepted this offer, and began their campaign on Constantinople, with hopes to reunite it with Rome. Although there was immense tension between the East-West, this action infuriated the Roman Catholic Church, and Pope Innocent III excommunicated the crusader army.
The battle for Constantinople began with the Siege of 1203. The Crusader Army was able to defeat the Byzantine army, and placed Isaac II and his son Alexios IV Angelos on the throne. It wasn't long however, until the Byzantine people rebelled against this invasion and imprisoned Isaac II and Alexios. In 1204, the Crusader Army began a second assault on the city of Constantinople, that led to it's eventual fall. The Crusaders thus established the Latin Empire with Constantinople that became a new state for the Roman Catholic Church. After collecting the spoils of war, Pope Innocent III, recognized this state and welcomed the crusaders back to the church. This Latin Empire lasted until 1261, and was eventually reclaimed by the Byzantines.Other Crusades
Following the Fourth Crusade, the Christian idea of reclaiming Jerusalem began to lose it's fervor, however there were still many more campaigns that followed. The Fifth Crusade took place from 1213-1221, and resulted in victory for the Egyptians and the Ayyubid Empire. The Sixth Crusade was a diplomatic operation, led by Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire, that successfully relinquished Jerusalem territory to the Crusaders. This territory however was later captured once again by the Muslims, in 1244.
The Frankish Kingdom of King Louis IX waged a Seventh Crusade, in 1248 which was an utmost failure for the crusaders. The Eight Crusade was a continuation of the previous one, and also led to the death of King Louis IX. In 1271, the Kingdom of France once again waged another war, in the Ninth Crusade, which resulted in another Muslim Victory, and the final significant crusade. In the years to follow the crusader states eventually fell to Muslim control.
Throughout this medieval period, there were other Christian crusades, with different goals. Such as the Albigensian Crusade in 1209 to eliminate the gnostic movement of Catharism. There were also numerous Northern Crusades in the Scandinavian territories against pagan leaders. One final noteworthy crusade, believed to have taken place in the year 1212, was a youth campaign, known as the Children's Crusade. The intent was for a band of children to peacefully reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem, however believed to have ended horrifically.
The Holy Military Orders
Another significant military order were the Teutonic Knights, formed in Germany in 1190. This order also played a critical role throughout the crusades. It's military order eventually declined in the 1400s, however it still remains as a Catholic religious order in present day.
Many of these religious knights were not only skilled fighters, yet also skilled in medical and spiritual practice as well. They played an essential role in conversions and the dispersion of faith through war-torn areas. These warrior-monks were the ultimate weapon of the church, with a duty to save humanity and purge the world from non-believers. This age of war, purging, torture, and corruption is no doubt the darkest period of the Catholic institution.
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