Changes

The crusades began with an odd start.  The peasantry, excited by the notion of a crusade, and stirred by the preaching of the layman [[Peter the Hermit]], embarked on a disorganized and poorly supplied “crusade”, which failed utterly, being rather unwelcome in the cities they stopped in on their journey, and being slaughtered by the first Islamic army they met.  This was an unofficial, impromptu affair involving the peasantry, and which was warned, and forbidden, by the Christian feudal lords and the papacy alike.   

The crusades began with an odd start.  The peasantry, excited by the notion of a crusade, and stirred by the preaching of the layman [[Peter the Hermit]], embarked on a disorganized and poorly supplied “crusade”, which failed utterly, being rather unwelcome in the cities they stopped in on their journey, and being slaughtered by the first Islamic army they met.  This was an unofficial, impromptu affair involving the peasantry, and which was warned, and forbidden, by the Christian feudal lords and the papacy alike.   

The [[First Crusade]], properly speaking, was lead by Feudal lords, mostly of Frankish origin.  Many of the knights left home never expecting to return, knowing virtually nothing about the Holy Land, and trusting in God for victory.  The army consisted of almost 20,000 men, including a mass of squires and other servants necessary to support a mounted knight. The army captured [[Nicaea]] in 1097, Antioch in 1099 and then Jerusalem.  The Crusaders massacred the inhabitants of Jerusalem (and it should be noted that, in explaining why the crusaders ultimately failed, contemporary churchmen pointed out the sins of the crusaders).  Four feudal kingdoms were established, which would remain for nearly 100 years.  Crusading orders, consisting of paladins, were also set up.

The [[First Crusade]], properly speaking, was lead by Feudal lords, mostly of Frankish origin.  Many of the knights left home never expecting to return, knowing virtually nothing about the Holy Land, and trusting in God for victory.  The army consisted of almost 20,000 men, including a mass of squires and other servants necessary to support a mounted knight. The army captured [[Nicaea]] in 1097, Antioch in 1099 and then Jerusalem.  The Crusaders massacred the inhabitants of Jerusalem (and it should be noted that, in explaining why the crusaders ultimately failed, contemporary churchmen pointed out the sins of the crusaders, such as cannibalizing Muslim children during the siege of [[Ma'arra]] ).  Four feudal kingdoms were established, which would remain for nearly 100 years.  Crusading orders, consisting of paladins, were also set up.

The [[Second Crusade]] occurred in 1145 when Edessa was retaken by Islamic forces.  It was ultimately a failure, owing in part to the French king's insistence on betraying and attacking his only Muslim ally, [[Damascus]].  In 1187 the Muslims

The [[Second Crusade]] occurred in 1145 when Edessa was retaken by Islamic forces.  It was ultimately a failure, owing in part to the French king's insistence on betraying and attacking his only Muslim ally, [[Damascus]].  In 1187 the Muslims