Lecture 16: March 1, 2011

We began today with the topic of Crusader Jerusalem, which took place during 1099-1187. Dr. Cargill was not present so we had a guest, Ryan Roberts. Ryan discussed how a thousand years after the Crusades have occurred, we are still talking about them. The background to the Crusades was Early Islamic Jerusalem in 638-1099. There is an internal struggle between dynasties--fighting over territory. You still see pilgrims visiting Jerusalem as well. What is so fascinating about what happens, Jerusalem under Christian rule lasts 100 years. There are several factors that contribute to the Crusades; Political and Religious. For Political, you see the emergence of Holy Roman Empire in Western Europe (The divisions in Christianity). Secondly, Religions were the late reaction to persecution of Christian population of Jerusalem. Al Hakim, a mad ruler, destroyed the Holy Sepulcher in 1009 in connection with the "Descent of the Holy Fire" on Easter. For example, William of Tyre becomes extremely important during the Massacre of German pilgrims in 1064. Speaking of Tyre, there are chief historical sources of the Crusades. Mr. Roberts read quotes from William of Tyre and Ibu al-Qalamisi. The greatest crusader chronicle came from William of Tyre. The most important Muslim reference was Ibu- al-Qalamisi---Different sources give different viewpoints. Next, we looked at Pope Urban II's Speech (November 7. 1085). There was a four year window from this speech to Jerusalem being taken by the Christians. This speech calls upon the nobility of Western Europe; he wants them to go East. At the same time, he encourages them to free and liberate Jerusalem when they are going on their way. It starts to sow you the background on the importance of this speech by the Pope. For example, "But God exhorts you as heralds of Christ to repeatedly urge men of all ranks whatsoever." When Pope Urban gives this speech, he is not sure of the outcome--he is calling nobility, rich and poor, everyone; to help and give assistance. In many ways, this is the outcome of unintended consequences. A mass amount of people went to heed the requests of Pope Urban which was unexpected.
The definition of a Crusade was given as "An expedition authorized by the pope on Christ's behalf, the leading participants in which took vows and consequently enjoyed the privileges of protection at home and the Indulgence, which, when the campaign was not destined for the East, was equated with that granted to crusaders to the Holy Land." (Riley-Smith 1992:6). Indulgence is remission of the penalties due for sins; they were granted to crusaders. There are many ways that one can receive an Indulgence; one could contribute funds to a crusade, preach a crusade, collecting money for one, or settling as a colonist in the Holy Land. We took a look at a map for the first Crusade, the Peasants Crusade. The Peasants were poor and ill-equipped, so they figured that they had nothing to lose--instead they were slaughtered due to being unprepared. During the Siege of Jerusalem, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Franks slaughtered more than 70,000 people (The Franks stripped the Dome of the Rock of more than forty silver candelabra).
During the 1st Crusade in 1095-1099, preached by Urban II, Jerusalem was conquered by Godfrey de Bouillon. Palestine became the Kingdom of Jerusalem and in 1100, Baldwin became the "King of Jerusalem". We looked at the Sources for Crusader Jerusalem; through Maps and Pilgrim accounts. Maps showed the four quarters and renewed interest in the Temple Mount. The Pilgrim accounts were what happened when they went on their journeys. The division of area became split into parts known as the Patriarch's quarter, Syrian Quarter, Armenian Quarter, and the Templar's Quarter.
The Crusader Period Monuments were that the existing Islamic monuments were modified and there was a rebuilding of ruins, etc. When moving on to the topic of Templars; the Order of Knights Templar was founded in 1118.