The Complete Idiot's Guide To The Crusades

The Crusades by Paul L. Williams, Ph.D. A Pearson Education Company Copyright  2002 by Paul L. Williams All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290. THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Pearson Education, Inc. International Standard Book Number: 0-02-864243-0 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001095855 04 03 02 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the book’s printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the book’s printing. For example, a printing code of 02-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 2002. Printed in the United States of America Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Publisher Marie Butler-Knight Product Manager Phil Kitchel Managing Editor Jennifer Chisholm Acquisitions Editor Gary Goldstein Development Editor Doris Cross Production Editor Katherin Bidwell Copy Editor Cari Luna Illustrator Brian Moyer Cover Designers Mike Freeland Kevin Spear Book Designers Scott Cook and Amy Adams of DesignLab Indexer Tonya Heard Layout/Proofreading Angela Calvert John Etchison Sherry Taggart Contents at a Glance Map of the Four Crusader States Map of the Routes of the Crusades Chronology of the Crusades Part 1: The Medieval World xxv xxvi xxvii 1 1 Welcome to the Middle Ages Europe at the first millennium is a grim place, where ignorance, filth, and starvation are a way of life, but the Church offers redemption. 3 2 The Dawn of the Renaissance Technology transforms agriculture, a middle class materializes, and the Code of Chivalry engenders knights of the cross. 13 3 The Pope Declares Holy War In his sermon at Clermont, Pope Urban II promises salvation for those who march to Jerusalem to rout the Moslem infidels from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 25 4 The Lure of Byzantium Roman and Byzantine Christianity differ, but the pope responds to the Eastern Emperor’s plea for help to repel the Seljuk Turks, and the First Crusade takes shape. 31 Part 2: The First Crusade 37 5 The Crusade of the Poor Peter the Hermit leads the Crusade of the Poor, which perpetrates the