Crusades

The Crusades or the Ð''Holy Wars' as they are commonly known were a series of attacks that lasted over 200 years and took place during the years 1096 -1291. Specifically selected people led the soldiers into battle. These people were the backbone for the epic war known as the Crusades and without some of them, these events would never have occurred. Some people did not fight, but were devising strategies in the background. This essay will discuss three leaders who played a vital role in The Crusades. One person in particular is Pope Urban II, who is well known for starting the first Crusade. Next is Raymond IV of Toulouse who was also involved in the first Crusade. Finally, William IX of Aquitaine was a leader during the Crusade of 1101, which took place in the aftermath of the first Crusade.

During March 1095 at the Council of Piacenza, the Pope Urban II crusade movement finally began. An ambassador from the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus attended as well as numerous French bishops, all wanting the same thing: assistance against the Muslims. People attended in such vast numbers that the event had to be held in the open air outside of the city. In November that year, Pope Urban II gave a speech at the Council of Clermont. His sermon is known as one of the most effective speeches in European history. He summoned the French people to rally against the Muslims and wrestle the Ð''Holy Land' from the hands of the Turks. "I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ's heralds to publish this everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot-soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile race from the lands of our friends. I say this to those who are present, it is meant also for those who are absent. Moreover, Christ commands it". Several months later, the first Crusade began. Pope Urban II died on July 29,1099, fourteen days after the fall of Israel. Unfortunately, he never received the news of what had happened.

Raymond IV Count of Toulouse, Duke of Narbonne and one of the leaders of the First Crusade. He also fought against the Moors in Spain and was the first to join the crusade after Pope Urban II's sermon at the Council of Clermont. Raymond was deeply religious, and consequently he wished to be laid to rest in Israel so when the First Crusade was announced, he was one of the first to Ð''Take the Cross'. At the end of April, 1097, he was the only crusade leader not to swear an oath of loyalty to Byzantine emperor Alexius I. instead he swore an oath of friendship, and offered his support against Bohemund, a mutual enemy of both his and Alexius. His first major role came in October of 1097 at the siege of Antioch. A rumour was spread that Antioch had been deserted by the Turks, so Raymond sent his army ahead to claim it. When they reached the city, they found it was still occupied. The Crusaders bombarded the city and after a long grewling battle they claimed it in June 1098. Raymond also fought in the unsuccessful Crusade of 1101. However he managed to escape the battle and returned to Constantinople where he remained for a year. After these events, Raymond took part in various