The causes of the First Crusade
I can explain the various causes of the First Crusade and the reasons why people chose to go on crusade.
The causes of the First Crusade
I can explain the various causes of the First Crusade and the reasons why people chose to go on crusade.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The invasion of Byzantium was one reason for the First Crusade.
- The actions of Urban II were one cause of the First Crusade.
- The desire to fight for their God and the Church motivated some crusaders.
- The desire to go on a holy journey motivated some crusaders.
- Historians disagree about the relative importance of the reasons why the First Crusade occurred as and when it did.
Common misconception
The only reason why crusaders went on the First Crusade was to capture Jerusalem for Christianity.
People went on crusade for a wide variety of reasons; for some people, capturing Jerusalem from the Muslims was important, but it was almost certainly not the reason why the First Crusade was called in the first place.
Keywords
Pope - the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church
Crusade - a crusade is a military expedition against a group considered by the papacy to be an enemy of the Church
Pilgrimage - a pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place
Content guidance
- Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.
- Contains conflict or violence.
Supervision
Adult supervision suggested.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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