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Motivation for the First Crusade...

13

Not looking for 'help' particularly, just a discussion, seeing as I'm doing this for my A2 coursework and nobody else in my year is doing anything on the Crusades :frown:

My actual title is "To what extent was religion the main motivation for the First Crusade". I've only read a few sources so far (summer killed my brain), but the first impression i got is that it was all about Christians controlling other cultures, and crushing any potential threat, rather than 'saving' them and their precious cities etc.

Any opinions? I would've said more (and probably made more sense), but I'm tired and Lee Evans is on :woo:

Reply 1

aperson

they done it for the moolah and the glory

Reply 2

TSRreader

papacy politics

Reply 3

davireland

13

Sam o0o

Not looking for 'help' particularly, just a discussion, seeing as I'm doing this for my A2 coursework and nobody else in my year is doing anything on the Crusades :frown:

My actual title is "To what extent was religion the main motivation for the First Crusade". I've only read a few sources so far (summer killed my brain), but the first impression i got is that it was all about Christians controlling other cultures, and crushing any potential threat, rather than 'saving' them and their precious cities etc.

Any opinions? I would've said more (and probably made more sense), but I'm tired and Lee Evans is on :woo:

I would suggest you read, "The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction" - by Christopher Tyreman, as a starting point, not only does it give you a good intro (hence the name) but it also has some sources and a decent further reading section at the back so you can pinpoint your investigation to a particular aspect. I read this on holiday as I had no idea about the crusades and it was really informative (come to think of it ive read a few of these VSI and they have all been good).

Reply 4

Nicbleet

For penance, spill infidel blood= direct route to heaven(no purgatory). Many were also bored with christendom, as the papacy forbade them from spilling christian blood thus knights grew restless and took the opportunity as an outlet for violence. (such as Tancred)

Reply 5

Anon80008

15

Sam o0o

Not looking for 'help' particularly, just a discussion, seeing as I'm doing this for my A2 coursework and nobody else in my year is doing anything on the Crusades :frown:

My actual title is "To what extent was religion the main motivation for the First Crusade". I've only read a few sources so far (summer killed my brain), but the first impression i got is that it was all about Christians controlling other cultures, and crushing any potential threat, rather than 'saving' them and their precious cities etc.

Any opinions? I would've said more (and probably made more sense), but I'm tired and Lee Evans is on :woo:

Coincidentally, I was the only person in class to do my coursework on the Crusade and chose this question: 'To what extent were the origins of the First Crusade primarily secular?'

I don't think 'controlling other cultures' was much of a motivational force. You don't get any spiritual or material rewards for that (and if you argue that you do, then surely the motivating factor ceases to be controlling other cultures, but gaining access to heaven/money?)

The two most useful books I found were:

J. S. C. Riley-Smith
The Oxford History of the Crusades
Oxford University Press (1999)
(argues largely in favour of religion being the primary motivating factor)

C. Tyerman
The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction
Oxford University Press (2005)

You can split the question up so that you have a list of factors (say 4-6) and argue which ones were religious/important. I did this and got 118/120, so I think in terms of structure it's fine.

Good luck!

Reply 6

Sam o0o

OP

13

Thanks! What board were you on? OCR coursework is out of 90...

Reply 7

Anon80008

15

I think I was OCR too, but I did mine 2 years ago and it was called a 'personal study'.

Reply 8

Oswy

15

Not sure how significant this would be, but in the medieval period a feudal lord's retainers would possibly be obliged to follow him on his exploits. If this is a sound starting point then maybe a majority of those who went on Crusades did so because it was 'their job'.

Motivation for the First Crusade...

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