[StAthanasiustheGreat]

The Crusades were truly a defensive war. It is a pity so many have lost sight of that. Islamic Armies had since the mid-seventh century overrun Christian kingdoms in the Holy Land, Anatolia, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Sicily and even invaded Italy. It wasn't until the mid-eleventh century that the Normans of Italy drove the invaders from Sicily and established a Christian kingdom there again. Spain was under a yoke and had been stopped from going further by Charles Martel (a good French general (gasp)). The Crusades were truly defensive, to reclaim lost kingdoms and relieve the pressure on the Eastern Bulwark of Europe, the Roman Empire of Byzantium.

My, how many have lost their memory of History. When I described the crusades this way to fellow college students a year ago, they were taken aback and immediately disagreed. No evidence was provided to support their assertions.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Paul Johnson, in A History of Christianity, would suggest there's more to the story than you indicate.

[cardinal4]

The History department at SLU is probably one of the best in the country. I would have loved to study there..

[rudyudy]

I think they had a chunk of Portugal also.

[redgolum]

It wasn't until the mid-eleventh century that the Normans of Italy drove the invaders from Sicily and established a Christian kingdom there again. Spain was under a yoke and had been stopped from going further by Charles Martel (a good French general (gasp)). The Crusades were truly defensive, to reclaim lost kingdoms and relieve the pressure on the Eastern Bulwark of Europe, the Roman Empire of Byzantium.

The Hammer was more than a general. He laid the ground work for what was to be Europe, and blunted one of the spears of Islam.