Reform and Renewal

The First Crusade was called in 1096 by Pope Urban II. The reasons for the First Crusade was to help obtain Jerusalem known as the holy land. During this time period the Muslims were occupying Jerusalem. First Crusade contained peasants and knights’ whose ethnicities consist of Franks, Latin’s, and Celts which were all from the western part of Europe. To get peasants and knights to join Pope Urban II objectives in return of a spiritual reward called “remission of all their sins” which was to be redeemed of any sins the individual has committed. When sins are redeemed Crusaders believed that they will escape the torment of hell. When lords and knights joined the crusade they were known as military elites. Crusaders were known as soldiers of Christ.

The Crusaders purpose was to fight against non-Christians, and convert non-Christians into Christians. Examples of Non-Christians were Muslims and Jews. Although crusades were warriors, they had limit warfare meaning crusades couldn’t cause blood shed on holy days or weekends.

A rise of Seljuk Turks who were a Muslim nomadic warrior group and asserted their political control. Seljuk Turks not only expanded their political control they also took half the Byzantine Empire with them. Byzantine Emperor named Alexius Comnena asked Pope Urban II for assistance to regain former territory the Byzantines had lost. During this time period Emperor Alexius had his daughter Anna

Comnena documented his life and campaigns he did. She also spoke highly of her father, making Emperor Alexis an honorable and courageous man. Pope Urban II had his objectives on Jerusalem known as the holy land and to help liberate Christians in the east.

In these several documents crusades were l...

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...r example, that he was a leader of the “whole expedition”)” also states “The letter is a good illustration of what a crusader was supposed to think about the enterprise, whether he did or not” 293. |

The first two documents were more accurate than the third because the first two documents consists of what the crusades did to the non-Christians and how they were dishonorable in the perspective of Anna Comnenus who was documenting her father reign. Third document described by a crusader was false. Crusaders would lie about their expiditions to make the crusade seem more positive wither they agreed or disagreed upon the crusades actions. In result of the First Crusade they were able to push back the Muslims and reclaim the holy land and aid fellow Christians but failed to assist emperor Alexius reclaim Asia Minor and other former territory from the Seljuk Turks.