Crusades refer to periodic military events that took place between 1096 and 1272. These expeditions were organized by European Catholic Christians, in line with the wishes of the Pope, in order to gain control over the Muslim-dominated Middle Eastern lands. Its main aim is to capture the Middle Eastern regions, especially Jerusalem, which are considered the Holy Land, and to bring these lands, which are considered holy for Christianity, under Christian domination.
The Crusade, which was the first of the Crusader armies affiliated with the Catholic Church, started in 1096 and ended in 1099. These expeditions were carried out eight times in total to the Middle East and Anatolia until 1492. The Crusades, “Crusader Raidsi” or “ReconquestIt is also referred to as “. The main target of these expeditions was the war in 1071. Battle of ManzikertHis aim was to expel the Turks, who had become stronger in Anatolia and the Middle East after 1960, from the lands considered sacred by Christians. In addition to regular army units, mercenaries also participated in these expeditions.
The Birth of the Crusade Idea
The inspiration for the Crusades is actually the Reconquista movement, which was initiated for the reconquest of Muslims in Spain and Portugal. Muslims had established dominance in Spain and Sicily. The Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula defended the cities held by Muslims, whom they saw as a common enemy, and especially the cities that were considered sacred. Jerusalem‘They started a movement to take back the city, which lasted from the 9th century to the end of the 15th century.
In fact, in 1086 Pope Gregory VII. Gregorius to the East crusade He had the idea of organizing. However, this idea was discontinued by his successor, II. Applied to Urbanus. After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, Anatolia was exposed to Turkish raids and Seljuk Turks established a strong dominance. The Turks, who captured Syria and Palestine with these successful conquests, made the Christian world uneasy.
Byzantine Emperor Alexios I, known for his political success, requested help from the Pope to deal with the Turks. The Pope accepted this request, but his main goal was to capture the Eastern lands, especially Jerusalem, rather than helping Byzantium. It was thought to provide control over the Eastern Christians, who were considered “Hereks” who did not embrace the views of the Papacy, and to save Europe from the crisis it was in. Because in 1094, due to problems such as severe drought, hunger, misery, epidemics and increasing population, the East became almost a heavenly place in the eyes of the West.
collected in 1095 Council of ClermontIn , the Pope invited the Christians to a holy war in order to save Jerusalem and the Eastern lands, especially the places where the apostles lived and their relics, from the hands of the Saracen Muslims. He persuaded Christians to join the Crusade with earthly and afterlife promises. The church was more than just a religious institution, it was the ruler of large lands and a political authority.
During this period, European society was in chaos caused by conflicts between feudal families and knights. The primary goal for the counts, dukes and knights who would participate in the Crusades was financial gain and possession of new lands. Because French, Normans, Lombards An organized army consisting of various nationalities was formed and came to Constantinople in 1097. Alexios I felt great concern when he saw these huge armed forces. He did not allow them passage through his territory and declared that he would not allow them to go to Islamic countries unless they adhered to their commitment to give him Antioch. In fact, its purpose was to encourage the Crusaders to go to Islamic countries and to ensure that they regain the lands they lost from the Turks.
First Crusade
In the First Crusade, which started in 1096, leaders such as Alexios I, Robert Curthose and Pierre L’Hermit were at the head of the Turkish army. To Kılıçarslan I fought against. During this expedition, which lasted three years, approximately 80,000 Turkish soldiers he lost his life. Apart from the Italian Norman army and the Frankish army, armies of Loren origin also participated in the Crusades. After the First Battle of Dorielon, the Crusaders plundered Anatolia and then besieged Antakya. When they reached Jerusalem, they killed more than 70 thousand Muslims and Jews.
Siege, Occupation and Massacre of Jerusalem
The siege of Jerusalem is one of the important events of the First Crusade. The city was defended by the Fatimid army, and the Crusaders launched a series of unsuccessful attacks on the city’s walls starting on July 5, but were repulsed. After the Genoese came to the shores of Palestine, they destroyed their ships, brought their boards near Jerusalem and built two large siege towers. These towers were brought to the city walls on the night of July 14.
15 JulyIn , a Flemish knight was able to enter the city for the first time from the tower near the northeastern gate. Then Godefroi de Bouillon, his brother Eustace from Boulogne, Tancerd and his soldiers entered the city. The other siege tower could not advance. Raymond Saint Gillies, one of the Crusader commanders, informed the Fatimid castle commander Iftikar Al-Dawla that if he surrendered, he and his army would be allowed to leave Jerusalem freely. Iftikar Al-Dawla accepted this offer and opened the city gates.
However, after the Crusaders entered the city, T.They committed a great massacre by targeting Muslims and Jews in and around Apınak Hill.. These tragic events occurred as a result of the First Crusade. Capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders It resulted in .
On July 15, 1099, There was a dark period that started with the entry of the Crusader Army into Jerusalem. Throughout the afternoon, evening, and next morning of that day, Crusader soldiers targeted the Muslim and Jewish populations of the city of Jerusalem. As a result of these brutal attacks, a huge genocide took place and more than 70 thousand people in the city were brutally murdered in two days. The center of Jerusalem was cleared of Muslim Arabs and Jews.
Most Arab Muslims of Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Mosque to the mosque and Haram SharifAt the same time, the Jews retreated to their synagogues near the Western Wall (Wailing Wall). According to the sources of the Western European Crusaders, Harem-i Sharif and Solomon’s Temple Mount Muslims and Jews on the island were killed mercilessly, even if they took refuge in their own temples.
An anonymous writer who experienced these terrible events wrote his Latin history work “Gesta FrancorumHe also describes it as follows:
“Our soldiers pursued them to Solomon’s Temple and killed them; There was such a great massacre here that the blood of the dead rose to the ankles of our soldiers who continued the massacre.“
The First Crusade is considered a great success by both Christians and modern historians. One phase of this campaign, the “Barons’ Crusade,” resulted in the capture of Jerusalem by Christians, mostly of Frankish origin. After this Crusade Saladin AyyubiIt was held by Christians until 1187, when Jerusalem was recaptured. Holy State of Jerusalem remained its capital.
In addition, the influence of the First Crusade led to the establishment of four different Crusader states in the south of Anatolia, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine under the rule of Christian rulers of Frankish origin in 1100.
Second Crusade
The Second Crusade, which started in 1147 and ended in 1149, took place between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Anatolian Seljuk State. The armies of the Knights Templar and the Byzantine Empire also participated in the expeditions. During these campaigns, the Fatimids and Abbasids sided with the Anatolian Seljuk State.
Third Crusade
In the Third Crusade, which took place between 1187 and 1192, the Crusader Army of 100 thousand people faced the Anatolian Seljuk army of 120 thousand people. The campaigns ended with the Treaty of Ramla and the Christians leaving Jerusalem.
Fourth Crusade
At the end of the Fourth Crusade between 1200 and 1204, the Latin Empire was established. The Crusader army surrounded Istanbul and burned many buildings in the city.
Fifth Crusade
The Fifth Crusade, which took place between 1217 and 1221, took place in Egypt. Damietta was besieged by the Crusaders, but the campaign resulted in the decisive victory of the Anatolian Seljuk State and the Ayyubids.
Sixth Crusade
The Sixth Crusade, which began in 1228 and ended in 1229 with the return of Jerusalem to the Crusader Army, involved little conflict, unlike other campaigns.
Seventh Crusade
In the Seventh Crusade, which took place between 1248 and 1254, the armies of the Kingdom of France left Egypt at the end of the 6-year war.
Eighth Crusade
As a result of the Eighth Crusade in 1270, the Treaty of Tunis was signed.
Causes of the Crusades
- The holy lands of Jerusalem are wanted to be taken back by Christians.
- Wanting to prevent the further spread of Islam.
- Promoting the economic development of Europe.
- Capture of trade routes.
- The knights wanted to show their power and gain fame.
Results of the Crusades
- Shattering of European people’s trust in the church and the Pope.
- Establishment of the Greek Pontus and Iznik States of Trebizond.
- The kingdoms and the church lose power, the bourgeois class gains power.
- Bringing new inventions such as the printing press and gunpowder to European countries.
- Increasing conflict between Christianity and Islam.
