The Crusades Essay

The Crusades were a series of Holy Wars that occurred during the Middle Ages. They

lasted from the 11th century to the 13th century. The wars were between the Christians and  

Muslims over the holy city of Jerusalem. These wars were very tragic, many people died

in these wars. Many Christians and Jews from Europe traveled to Jerusalem to fight to get

Jerusalem back.

                      The city of Jerusalem was considered a holy city by many religions. This

caused the Crusades to start. Jerusalem for Christians was the place where Jesus was

crucified and ascended to heaven. For Jews, it was the site of a ancient temple built by

Solomon. For Muslims, it was the place where Muhammad ascended to heaven.

            In 600 CE , Arabs entered the city and took control. The Arabs allowed Christians

and   Jewish people to enter the city for worship. Christians and Jewish people could

actually live in Jerusalem , as long as they paid taxes. In 1095 , a new group of Arabs

took control of the city.   They didn’t let Christians and Jews live or visit Jerusalem

anymore.

          In 1095 , the first Crusade begun. Pope Urban II launched the battle to get

Jerusalem back. Many Christians volunteered in this battle. Many Christians believed that

this battle will be a sin. They also believed that God will forgive them because they

recaptured Jerusalem.   Many also volunteered because if you were a Crusader ,you didn’t

have to pay taxes.

              Crusaders were from Western Europe. Knights were volunteers. It gave them a

chance to show their fighting skills in battle. Knights enjoyed the battlefield and were

good at fighting. They loved the chance to go to battle. Peasants volunteered to escape

daily life. The Pope promised them if they died in battle they will ascend to heaven

immediately. Many just volunteered for the thrill of the adventure.

          The sign of the Crusade was the...