Pope Urban II launched the First Crusade at the Clermont in 1095. The crusaders were influenced by religious piety, their familial and feudal obligations, and their desire for material gain. The first crusade was seen as the early example of colonialism. But Pope mentioned that this crusade was just a pilgrimage but an armed pilgrimage. The crusaders were motivated because of their desire for material gain. Herilhy argued that the economy of south France was getting worse between 850 and 1000. At the same time, the agricultural production failed to grow with the rising of population.2 A series of droughts and bad harvests had emerged in the early 1090s.2 Some crusaders hoped to improve their financial situation and material prospects. In …show more content…
Religion played an important role in people’s live in the late eleventh century. Monastic and pilgrimage life flourished at that time.9 At the Clermont, Pope described this war was the God approved of: “God wills it!”. Some of monks thought that crusading was an expression of imitation Christi. 11 In the crusade, every crusaders were distributed the crosses and sewed these crosses on to the shoulders of their surcoats.11 The cross represented the crusaders belonged to a special community and were under God’s protection.11 It was seen as a symbol of their vow to go on the pilgrimage and response the statement of God: “If anyone does not carry his cross and come after me, he cannot be my disciple”. They were seen as the soldiers of God. Pope promised an indulgence to any Christian going on the crusade. Pope mentioned that “Whoever, for devotion alone, not to gain honour or money, goes to Jersalem to liberate the Church of God can substitute this journey for all penance.” It means that people who went on the crusade and fought the enemies of God, they would receive a spiritual reward.13 Such expedition would be rewarded with full forgiveness of any and all sins and their consequences by God. Participating in the crusade was a chance to win a spiritual reward, the