[AnAmericanMother]

About time somebody mentioned this.

I majored in history, with a specialty in military history, and it was apparent to me that (1) the news media had the Crusades dead wrong; and (2) nobody cared that they had the whole thing dead wrong. So other than murmuring more or less to myself, I haven't said much.

Like Prof. Madden says, gotta strike while the iron is hot.

[ExSoldier]

I teach history (both world and American). Nowhere here did I see any mention of the only true professional soldiers of the Crusades. The vast majority of the crusaders were conscripts, and adventurers, lured by the promise of riches and plunder. Between engagements and the ebb and flow of battles.....there was need for a steady force to keep the fronts going as replacements arrived in steady trickles. Remember, they were for the most part, walking. These professionals were the "shock troops" of the Catholic Church: The Knights Templar.