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

the Holy Land is an area in the Middle East that is sacred to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam

a crusader is a Christian who fought in the holy wars authorised by the pope in the medieval period

outremer is the name for the Christian crusader states established in the Middle East during the First Crusade: the literal translation from French is ‘beyond the sea’

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 causes of 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.

What was promised to those who chose to take part in the First Crusade?

Many crusaders thought that they would recapture the city of {{ }}.

How many separate groups made up the First Crusade?

{{ }} is the name for the Christian crusader states established in the Holy Land during the First Crusade.

Which of these was not a crusader state established during the First Crusade?

Which part of the crusading army was crucial to their successful siege of Jerusalem?

A military expedition against a group considered by the {{ }} to be an enemy of the Church is known as a crusade.

How many men claimed to be the true pope when Urban II took the position?

The Byzantine Empire asked Pope Urban II for help fighting against the {{ }} in 1095.

Alongside the Holy Land, Pope Urban II also called for a crusade in {{ }}.

Where did Urban II make his speech calling for Western knights to go on a crusade?

By 1095, forces from primarily which religion had taken control of Jerusalem?

The First Crusade

Lesson outcome

Content guidance