To: jocon307
T he author does not really go into great depth on the causes of the first crusade (1095-). For nearly one hundred years the pilgrims from the West who were on pilgimage to Jerusalem were robbed, murdered, insulted and turned back on whim. Since many medieval Christians felt it was as much an obligation to visit Jerusalem (as a Muslim is obligated, if able, to visit Mekka during his lifetime) the continued depredations eventually led the Norman knighthood (including many men who had followed William in his conquestof England), to take up the Crusade. They were the most devoted of the Crusaders, the most homogeneous, and the most successful, creating a kingdom in the Holy Land that would last nearly a century.
29 posted on
11/22/2003 6:26:56 PM PST by
gaspar
To: gaspar
"For nearly one hundred years the pilgrims from the West who were on pilgimage to Jerusalem were robbed, murdered, insulted and turned back on whim."
Yes, that's right, I do sort of remember learning that, at some point. I just have the impression that the teaching of the crusades that I experienced (I'm 45) were already colored and distorted by the "hate the west" attitude that is so obvious today. I could be wrong, but I was good at history at the middle ages was (an is) my fave, so I don't think I just missed it.
31 posted on
11/22/2003 6:30:58 PM PST by
jocon307
(Ack! and Double Ack!!)
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