European Mistreatments Of The Crusaders

Let us take the Europeans for example specifically during their conquests in the Mediterranean. These conquests were called that they acted out became known as the crusades. The crusades were the most intense example of Europeans on the offense. It started because for several years’ nonviolent pilgrims had been roaming from Europe to worship at the birthplace of Christ also known as the Holy Land. By the tenth century leaders were organizing mass pilgrimages to the Holy Land. The largest of these was from Germany in 1065 and included about seven thousand pilgrims. However, an issue began to arise, the Christians became concerned by another group of people known as the Seljuk Turks. The Seljuk Turks, were said to be new and zealous converts …show more content…
As the Europeans lost control of Asia Minor which was a huge source of income for them, the emperor began writing to western princes and to the pope seeking people to help to regain lost territories. In addition, stories of alleged Turkish mistreatments of the pilgrims began spreading throughout Europe, even though there has been evidence that these stories were marketing, they enraged the Christians and affected the public opinion of the Turks throughout the community. In 1095 Pope Urban II proclaimed the First Crusade to regain the Holy Land. He did this during his most famous speech at the Council of Clermont he encouraged Christians to take up the cross and fight for a cause that would not only get them rewarded spiritually but also materially. In one version of his speech he stated “…it is less wicked to brandish your sword against Saracens [Muslims]. It is the only warfare that is righteous, for it is charity to risk your life for your brothers. The possessions of the enemy, too, will be yours, since you will make spoil of their treasures and return victorious to your own; or empurpled with your own blood, you will have gained everlasting glory.” (August C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eye-Witnesses and Participants (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1921), 33–36). He used the people’s devotion to God as a way to manipulate them to fight for his cause. Pope Urban II also knew exactly what to say to give them incentive to follow him inti battle, which was the promise of riches as well as forgiveness for their past transgressions. During this time a person being “free of sin” was more important than being wealthy. At the end of his heartfelt sermon the crowd shouted "God wills it" - the manifestation the crusaders later used in battle to justify their actions against the