The History of Crusades

Crusades refers to a series of religious-based wars among the Jews, European Christians, and the Muslims, primarily initiated to exercise full control over certain places which were considered sacred by both religious groups. It is mostly held in places regarded as holy such as the Mecca, Churches and the Erected tents in the streets. Basically, the major concerns of crusades were to promote the culture of peace, love and unity among the people, respect for one’s life, transformation and shaping of the people’s moral way of life and to preach salvation to both Christians and Non-Christians. It is organized and presided over by Bishops, Prophets, Priests, and Clerics etc. It involved shouting of certain spiritual messages along the corridors and preaching of the coming of the Messiah.

Through crusades, Christians were urged to change their ways of life, repent their sins and turn away from their wrong deeds. However, the crusade aspect has been covered broadly by various historical writers. This paper, therefore, seeks to examine the various significant approaches employed by different writers on the subject matter, the difference in their points of views as well as the factors that might have led to their different thoughts. The origin of crusade can be traced far back in the year 1095 during the Urban II’s preaching. Frank the Monk, a French writer, attended the council of Clermont and witnessed the first crusade which occurred in 1107 titled “The Deeds of the Franks” . The council was presided over by Pope Urban II and other Bishops in an open field due to a large number of people who could hardly fit in any of the buildings.

Most approaches used by the writers include converging the people and encouraging them to fasten their spirits and have faith in God. They condemned the inhuman and hostility of landowners who killed innocent Christian lives and held some in captives. Guibert of Nogent, on the other hand, argued that not unless the time of the nation is fulfilled, the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed by the people. He clarified further that, according to the Lord’s gospel, only those who will carry their cross and follow Jesus will remain to be worthy. On the other hand, Albert of Aache, Rosenfeld, among others disagrees with their French counterparts over the preaching aspect of the crusade. Instead, they strongly advocated for Peter the Hermit, who was believed to be the inventor of the crusades. Peter the Hermit, was not pleased with the criminal acts and wicked deeds of the Christians in church. He knew it was wrong to still church offerings.

He knew such acts were filthy before the lord and was against all other immoral deeds. He was then sent on a mission by God to preach repentance message to the people before the coming of the lord. However, it is evident that the writers used different approaches in developing their crusade chronicles. Some of the factors that contributed to their difference in approaches include the background, scramble for holy land and other socio-cultural factors such as their religions.

In conclusion, the use of crusades has become more common in the recent past. It has provided a platform through which the word of God can be preached to many in an open place with an aim of transforming people spiritually and building their faith in God. In the ancient past, various historical writers have channeled their significant approaches on crusades in which they have also differed in their thoughts on some points. Factors behind their disagreement include the religious issues, their backgrounds, and acquisition of certain portions of land regarded as holy.