Fulcher Of Chartres Pros And Cons

The crusades were one of the most vigorous events in history! They consist of a powerful series of religious wars in the eleventh to thirteenth centuries where Christian soldiers attacked Jerusalem to reclaim the Holy Land. Pope Urban II’s speech at the Council of Clermont held in France which initiated the crusades was considered the spark that powered this world-changing event; however, the original manuscript of his words had been lost! There are only reports of his speech available in the present day to reference upon. To make matters even worse, the most famous versions, Fulcher of Chartres’, Robert the Monk’s, and Baldric of Dol’s, differed greatly from each other; thus, they will be further analyzed. The chronicle “Historia Hierosolymitana” …show more content…
In his chronicle, the Council of Clermont opens as Pope Urban praises: “Race of Franks, race from across the mountains, race chosen and beloved by God!” (5). Urban reminds the Franks of their importance in Christianity. The Franks are the chosen people by God, and therefore as equal, must be prepared to defend Him. After the Pope sets the stage, he describes the problem awaiting for the Franks. The Turks towards the East have “either entirely destroyed the churches of God or appropriated them for the rites of its own religion” and that “to speak of it is worse than to be silent!” The Franks must “enter upon the road to the Holy Sepulchre; wrest that land from the wicked race, and subject it to [themselves]” (6-7). Appealing to their pride, the Franks are obligated to fight back the Turks who have invaded the Holy Land and have wronged Christianity and God. The Pope was calling for a war, offering the reward of salvation to anyone who participates. Salvation is crucial in the Christian faith. With salvation, one can be spiritually safe and feel closer to God. Through the offering of this spiritual authority, he commanded the Franks to fight against the