The Crusade’s Heart and Soul

In The Crusades that took place in the Levant there were many important figures. Kings, pilgrim warriors, and popes all of great importance took part in the crusades events. Considering that the events of The Crusades date from 1009-1312 and thousands of important figures can be named, I will focus on just important figures of the First Crusade. The two most important figures in the First Crusade would be the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I and Pope Urban II. Both Pope Urban II and Alexius I can be credited with the crusade’s instigation and invention.

Pope Urban II (1042-1099 A.D.) was the head clerical figure at Clermont that first preached about the “just war” in the east. This idea was meant for knights of a noble social class who were not only accustomed to war, but were prepared for the church’s task to aid Alexius I. Urban II idea was perverted by evangelist’s and people of all kinds decided to go with the crusading armies to take advantage of the chance to get an indulgence. Pope Urban II decided to grant remissions of sins for those who fought for the church. This supplied every crusading army with many noncombatants who sought their own redemption.

Urban II persuaded many of the nobles in Europe to send their armies to the Middle East. In some cases he would threaten nobles with excommunication to participate. Urban II produced funds for these armies that were meant for the Middle East. A huge misconception on The Crusades is that it was for the sole retaking of Jerusalem in the name of Christendom, but it was also for the interest of the church in expanding its powers westward. They couldn’t go further with their influence eastward till later in history. Urban II established churches in the Levant during the duration of the Crusades, which in turn expanded the church’s power.

The other major figure in implementing this violent war was the Byzantine emperor Alexius I. Alexius I was the one to give the church reason to begin The Crusades by sending a message to Pope Gregory VII that he was in need of military aid. Alexius supplied the crusading armies with safe passage and substantial reinforcements. In turn the crusading armies rid the Byzantine emperor of the Seljuk Turks that kept invading his land. In doing this crusading armies also accomplished the church’s main objective.

Alexius I lead the armies into battle in the Crusade of the Great Lords. Many of the other leaders that participated in the Crusade of the Great Lords saw Alexius I as a great ally if they were to establish principalities in the Middle East. Once principalities were established in the Levant Alexius I aided those who kept their oath to him as their liege. Had the Byzantine emperor not of reinforced the armies in the crusades many would of died and nearly nothing would have been accomplished. Alexius I also allowed armies of the later crusades to pass through his territories with safe passage.

These two figures were crucial in The Crusades existence. By combining penitential pilgrimage and “just war” pope Urban II made the Crusades a practice of Western Christianity. The Byzantine emperor Alexius I helped unite east and west Christendom with better relations. These figures ultimately shaped the Crusades beginning and future through their actions.

Sources:
Alfred J. Andrea. "Encyclopedia of the Crusades". Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2003
Helen Nicholson. "The Crusades". Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004
Corliss K. Slack. "Historical Dictionary of the Crusades". Maryland: The Scarecrow Press, 2003