To be Signed by the Cross

The social and economical factors that the crusades had upon the world at the time caused misfortune, but in some cases also provided a country with great wealth. Understanding these main points on what the existence of the crusades has created and destroyed helps one understand the worlds present day condition. Many of the world’s struggles that exist today predate much of modern history. Some of them were actually formed during the crusades such as west versus east conflicts.

To be signed by the cross, or to take upon the cross meant at the time to devote oneself to The Crusades and the pope. This was considered essential to crusading. Without devoting oneself to the church, it showed that one was not crusading for the correct reasons. The problem was to try and differentiate between those who were fighting for the church, and those that were fighting for self-gain. One could easily say their fighting in the name of god when they’re looting a village. Although David Nicolle argues “the idea that Crusading was a means of escape for poor knights seeking their fortunes overseas is largely a myth.” (18)

A crusader known as Guibert of Nogent described the First Crusade as “a new path of salvation which allowed laymen to earn redemption without changing their status and becoming monks.” (7) This was the common conception that the people had for The Crusades. At its time the Crusades were a means for religious salvation. If you took up a sword for the church you’d be accepted into heaven they’d say. The modern understanding of The Crusades is that they were intended solely on the recapture of Jerusalem. With The Crusades came the acceptance and understanding of a Holy War. By proposing The Crusades the church was almost testing the extent to which society found church doctrine to be acceptable. There is clear evidence that the church’s intentions were not just ecclesiastical, but political, cultural, and social as well.

Hussey, J.M., ed. "The Cambridge Medieval History 2nd ed. Vol. 4." New York: Cambridge University Press, 1966.

Norwich, John Julius. "A Short History of Byzantium." New York: Vintage, 1988.