Why did Pope Urban II call for the First Crusade?

Pope Urban II called the Crusade in 1095 for several reasons: to answer Byzantine Emperor Alexios I's plea for help against the Seljuk Turks, to redirect internal European knightly violence toward an external enemy, and to assert Papal authority over the secular monarchs of Europe. He also aimed to reclaim the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which was a site of immense spiritual importance to Christians.

What was the 'People's Crusade' and why did it fail?

The People's Crusade was an unplanned movement of roughly 30,000 peasants and low-ranking knights led by Peter the Hermit, which set off before the official armies. It failed because the participants lacked military training, equipment, and discipline; they were largely annihilated by the Seljuk Turks at the Battle of Civetot in 1096 after causing chaos across Europe and the Byzantine Empire.

How did the Crusaders manage to capture Jerusalem in 1099?

The capture of Jerusalem was achieved through a combination of extreme religious determination and effective siege tactics, including the construction of two massive wooden siege towers. Crucially, the Crusaders benefited from the political and religious divisions within the Islamic world, specifically the rivalry between the Sunni Seljuk Turks and the Shi'a Fatimid Caliphate, which prevented a unified defense of the city.

What were the four Crusader States?

The four Crusader States, collectively known as Outremer, were the Kingdom of Jerusalem (the most important), the Principality of Antioch, the County of Edessa, and the County of Tripoli. These states were organized along Western feudal lines but faced constant threats due to their small Christian populations and their geographical isolation from Western Europe.

Why did the Second Crusade end in failure?

The Second Crusade failed primarily due to poor leadership and a lack of clear strategic goals. The decision to attack Damascus, a city that had previously been an ally of the Crusader States, was a major tactical error that united the Muslim forces. Additionally, the lack of coordination between King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of Germany, combined with the difficult terrain and lack of supplies, led to a humiliating retreat.

The Crusades, c.1095-1149

WJEC

GCSE

This study in depth focuses on the history of the Crusades between 1095 and 1149, examining the political, military, social, and cultural factors of the Crusading movement, the success of the First Crusade, the establishment of Crusader kingdoms, the failure of the Second Crusade, and the broader impacts of the Crusades on European life.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The Crusades, c.1095-1149, represent a pivotal era in medieval history where Western European Christendom launched a series of military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land, specifically Jerusalem, from Islamic rule. For WJEC GCSE students, this topic explores the complex intersection of religious devotion, political ambition, and social change. It begins with Pope Urban II's transformative sermon at the Council of Clermont in 1095, which triggered the First Crusade, and concludes with the aftermath of the Second Crusade in 1149, a period that fundamentally reshaped the relationship between the East and the West.

Studying this period is essential for understanding the development of the medieval Church's power and the concept of 'Holy War.' You will examine the motivations of various participants—from powerful knights like Bohemond of Taranto to the impoverished peasants of the People's Crusade. The course covers the brutal reality of medieval warfare, including the Siege of Antioch and the fall of Jerusalem in 1099, as well as the subsequent establishment of the four Crusader States (Outremer). This topic provides vital context for the long-standing cultural and religious tensions that have influenced global history for centuries.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The Concept of Penance and Indulgence: The belief that participating in a Crusade would act as a substitute for all penance, granting the crusader a 'remission of sins' and a direct path to heaven.
→Feudal Obligations and Land: The role of primogeniture (where the eldest son inherits everything), which motivated younger sons of the nobility to seek land and titles in the Levant.
→Byzantine-Latin Relations: The strained alliance between the Western Crusaders and the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, whose request for help against the Seljuk Turks initially sparked the movement.
→The Crusader States (Outremer): The governance and defense of the County of Edessa, the Principality of Antioch, the County of Tripoli, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
→Jihad and Islamic Resistance: The gradual unification of the Muslim world in response to the Crusader presence, leading to the fall of Edessa in 1144 and the launch of the Second Crusade.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Power of the early medieval papacy (reform, Cluny, pilgrimages, Investiture Contest).
Factors leading to the birth of the Crusading movement (Seljuk Turks, Urban II, Council of Clermont, Papal Indulgences, militant Christianity, Holy Places, individual motives).
Factors contributing to the success of the First Crusade (leadership, Byzantium, aims, battles, siege of Antioch, capture of Jerusalem).
Life in Outremer (establishment of Edessa, Antioch, Tripoli, Jerusalem; difficulties; integration with Muslims and Jews).
Factors behind the failure of the Second Crusade (reasons, participants, problems).
Importance of the Crusades (Crusading Orders, castle technology, First and Second Crusade significance, interpretations).
Social and cultural effects (religious intolerance, trade, science, language, political impact on Europe).

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Power of the early medieval papacy (reform, Cluny, pilgrimages, Investiture Contest).
Factors leading to the birth of the Crusading movement (Seljuk Turks, Urban II, Council of Clermont, Papal Indulgences, militant Christianity, Holy Places, individual motives).
Factors contributing to the success of the First Crusade (leadership, Byzantium, aims, battles, siege of Antioch, capture of Jerusalem).
Life in Outremer (establishment of Edessa, Antioch, Tripoli, Jerusalem; difficulties; integration with Muslims and Jews).
Factors behind the failure of the Second Crusade (reasons, participants, problems).
Importance of the Crusades (Crusading Orders, castle technology, First and Second Crusade significance, interpretations).
Social and cultural effects (religious intolerance, trade, science, language, political impact on Europe).

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use a range of historical sources to address key questions.
💡Develop an awareness of how aspects of the Crusades have been represented and interpreted.
💡Consider how the period has generated wider historical debate.
💡Use specific names and dates to support your arguments. Referring to 'The Council of Clermont (1095)' or 'The Siege of Antioch (1097-98)' shows the examiner you have detailed chronological knowledge.
💡When discussing motivations, always categorize them into 'Push' and 'Pull' factors. For example, the 'Push' of famine and overpopulation in Europe versus the 'Pull' of the spiritual rewards and the riches of the East.
💡Focus on 'consequences' for higher-mark questions. Don't just describe what happened; explain how an event changed the balance of power or influenced the next stage of the conflict.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Misconception: The Crusades were purely motivated by religious zeal. Correction: While religion was the primary driver, many participants were motivated by the prospect of wealth, land, escaping debt, or fulfilling feudal duties to their lords.
Misconception: The Crusaders were a single, unified army. Correction: The First Crusade was composed of several distinct contingents led by different princes (like Raymond of Toulouse and Godfrey of Bouillon) who often argued over leadership and the spoils of war.
Misconception: The Second Crusade was as successful as the First. Correction: Unlike the First Crusade, the Second Crusade (1147-1149) was a major failure, ending in a disastrous retreat from the Siege of Damascus and failing to recapture Edessa.

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Week 1, Day 1-2: Create a detailed timeline from 1095 to 1149, highlighting the Council of Clermont, the fall of Jerusalem, the fall of Edessa, and the Second Crusade.
2Week 1, Day 3-4: Study the 'People's Crusade' vs the 'Princes' Crusade.' Note the differences in leadership, discipline, and ultimate outcomes.
3Week 1, Day 5-7: Analyze the four Crusader States. Map them out and identify the key challenges they faced, such as low manpower and reliance on Italian maritime cities.
4Week 2, Day 1-3: Focus on the Second Crusade. Research why it was called (the fall of Edessa) and the specific reasons for its failure at Damascus.
5Week 2, Day 4-7: Practice past WJEC exam questions, specifically focusing on 'Explain why...' and 'How significant was...' style prompts.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋Describe the key features of... (5 marks): Focus on providing three distinct, detailed points about a specific event like the Siege of Jerusalem.
📋Explain why... (8 marks): This requires you to link several factors together. For example, why did the First Crusade succeed? You must discuss both Crusader strengths and Muslim disunity.
📋How significant was [Event/Person] in the Crusades? (12 marks): This is an evaluative question. You must weigh the importance of one factor against others and reach a justified conclusion.
📋Use the source to explain... (6-8 marks): Analyze a contemporary account (like the Gesta Francorum) and explain how it reflects the attitudes or events of the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•The power and influence of the Catholic Church in 11th-century Europe.
•The structure of the Feudal System and the role of the Knightly class.
•The basic geography of the Mediterranean and the Middle East during the Middle Ages.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

What

Why

How

To what extent

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

The Crusades, c.1095-1149

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE History

Austerity, Affluence and Discontent: Britain, 1951-1979

Changes in Crime and Punishment in Britain, c.500 to the present day

Changes in Entertainment and Leisure in Britain, c.500 to the present day

Changes in Health and Medicine in Britain, c.500 to the present day

How to Revise The Crusades, c.1095-1149 — WJEC GCSE History

Examiner Tips for The Crusades, c.1095-1149

Key Marking Points

The Crusades, c.1095-1149

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Pope Urban II call for the First Crusade?

What was the 'People's Crusade' and why did it fail?

How did the Crusaders manage to capture Jerusalem in 1099?

What were the four Crusader States?

Why did the Second Crusade end in failure?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE History

Austerity, Affluence and Discontent: Britain, 1951-1979

Changes in Crime and Punishment in Britain, c.500 to the present day

Changes in Entertainment and Leisure in Britain, c.500 to the present day

Changes in Health and Medicine in Britain, c.500 to the present day