[LS]

I agree. But that doesn't change the fact that IN ADDITION to "rescuing" the holy lands from the infidels, there were other, very powerful reasons for wanting large numbers of violent armed men OUT of Europe and off on a mission.

[Bombard]

The thing is that after the First Crusade most of the knights went home. They had done their religious duty and it was time to return to Europe and the wife. The ones who stayed behind wanted a piece of the action and for the most part were second or third sons of nobles who had nothing to return to. The Crusader states were always short of manpower. Part to the reason for the creation of the Templars and Hospitaliers was to provide a stable source of warriors to defend the Holy Land. In fact the Crusader states were never a high priority for the kings and nobles of Europe who were always busy fighting their fellow Christians at home.