As a history buff who can never get enough, I am ashamed to say that I do not have a lot of background on the crusades and that era in general. I have been more involved in the Revolutionary, Civil War, WWI and WWII, and Napoleanic Wars.
Therefore I want to thank all of you for providing me with some VERY interesting reading and different perspectives on this era.
I top my hat to all of you. Thanks!
You're welcome. I don't think we disagree at all on the MOST important reason for the Crusades, i.e., Urban's wish to de-Islamize the Holy Lands. Our disagreement is over how much the other factors played a part.