the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church

a crusade is a military expedition against a group considered by the papacy to be an enemy of the Church

a pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place

The causes of the First Crusade

History

Background to the Crusades: the Byzantine Empire

Background to the Crusades: the Seljuk Empire

Background to the Crusades: the medieval Western Church

Pope Urban II's call to crusade

The First Crusade

This unit allowed pupils to evaluate the various causes which can lead to international conflict. In 'The Wars of the Roses: what does it tell us about fifteenth-century England?', pupils will consider similar factors and motives for individuals but within the context of groups from the same country who go to war against one another.

In 'The Christian Church: how completely did the Great Schism transform Christendom?', pupils studied some of the structures and features of European Christianity in the 11th century. In this unit, pupils will deepen their understanding of Christian Europe by assessing the power of the Church in people's lives and other factors which affected individuals' and groups' decision-making.

In this unit, pupils develop a deep understanding of the First Crusade's background. They learn how the interplay of events across Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Seljuk Empire led to this significant campaign.

The Crusades: did Europeans go on crusade to capture the 'holy land'?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

One likely reason Urban II called the First Crusade was to establish his position as {{ }}.

Warring nobles from __________ were a problem for Urban II at this time?

The spread of __________ into Europe was of concern to Urban II.

The {{ }} Emperor Alexios I Komnenos asked for Pope Urban II’s help in fighting back the Seljuk Turks.

Their desire to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Which of these were reasons why people answered the call to go on crusade?

A lack of sources from {{ }} people of this time means historians can only make inferences about crusaders' motivations.

Those who chose to take part in the First Crusade were promised forgiveness for their {{ }}.

Many crusaders thought that they would recapture the city of __________.

The first of the two crusading groups to reach Anatolia was called the '{{ }} Crusade'.

At which battle did the Seljuks fail to defeat the crusading army on 1 July 1097?

Starting with the earliest, place these cities in the chronological order in which they were captured by the crusaders.

During the siege of Jerusalem, the crusaders made use of two siege {{ }}.

The causes of the First Crusade

Lesson outcome

Content guidance