Response 1 The Crusades were a series of battles intended to gain back the “Holy Land” of Jerusalem from the Muslim power which held it. Pope Urban II’s speech at the Council of Clermont in 1095 inspired the Franks to take action against the people who occupied Jerusalem and the areas surrounding it (“The Crusades”). While several knights participated in the Crusades, Urban’s speech also took hold in the hearts of poorer Christians. Despite having little to no experience with war, many Frankish citizens went to battle during the Crusades. Some preached the word of Christ throughout France in hopes of recruiting more people to their cause (Knox). Others marched onward to Jerusalem, preparing to reclaim their divine city. Many of the Crusaders went in hopes of gaining land, riches, and glory. …show more content…
Once the Crusaders reached the city, they saw promises of absolved sins and plentiful wealth. These visions did not bode well for the people living in Jerusalem. Ralph of Caen observed “…the streets ringing with cries, clashing, clanging and neighing” as a result of the siege (qtd. in “The Crusades”). The Muslim and Jewish prayer that was once abundant in Jerusalem became nonexistent. Many Muslim and Jewish people were killed in their own houses of worship. Those who commanded and won the battle were duly rewarded. No one wanted to be king of Jerusalem (they believed only Christ could be king of such a holy city), but others took the titles of ‘Advocate’ and ‘Patriarch’ (Knox). Despite the glory had by the Christians who overtook Jerusalem, the First Crusade began a series of battles that would reject the spread of