by

What was the Shepherd’s Crusade (1320)?

Introduction The Shepherds’ Crusade of 1320 was a popular crusading movement in northern France. Initially aiming to help the Reconquista of Iberia, it failed to gain support from the church or nobility and instead murdered hundreds of Jews in France and Aragon. Causes The causes are complex; however, at that time a wake of famines… Read More

by

What was the Crusade of the Poor (1309)?

Introduction The Crusade of the Poor was an unauthorised military expedition – one of the so-called ‘popular crusades‘ – undertaken in the spring and summer of 1309 by members of the lower classes from England, Brabant, northern France and the German Rhineland. Responding to an appeal for support for a crusade to the Holy Land,… Read More

by

What was the Shepherd’s Crusade (1251)?

Introduction The Shepherds’ Crusade of 1251 was a popular crusading movement in northern France aimed at rescuing King Louis IX during the Seventh Crusade. Background In 1249, Saint Louis IX of France went away on crusade, leaving his mother, Blanche of Castile, as regent during his absence. Louis was defeated and captured in Egypt. When… Read More

by

What was the Children’s Crusade (1212)?

Introduction The Children’s Crusade was a failed popular crusade by European Christians to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims, said to have taken place in 1212. The crusaders left areas of Northern France, led by Stephen of Cloyes, and Germany, led by Nicholas. The traditional narrative is likely conflated from some factual and mythical… Read More

by

What were the Popular Crusades?

Introduction The popular crusades were several movements “animated by crusading enthusiasm” but unsanctioned by the Church. Background They contrast with the “official crusades” authorised by the Papacy. While the latter consisted of professional armies led by apostolic legates, the popular crusades were generally disorganised and consisted of peasants, artisans and only the occasional knight. The… Read More

by

What was the People’s Crusade (1096)?

Introduction The People’s Crusade was the first, largest, and most well-documented of the popular crusades. It lasted roughly six months from April to October 1096, and is categorised either as a prelude to the First Crusade, or, as a distinct part of the First Crusade to be distinguished from the “Princes’ Crusade” which was much… Read More