Essay Example on The Crusades

In November 1095, Pope Urban II received a letter from Byzantine Emperor Alexius I requesting reinforcements against the infidels so that the Christians could defend the Holy Church. He began to build public support for the crusade in earnest, which marked the start of the war. Between 1096 and 1272, the Crusades were a series of conflicts between Christian Europeans, Muslims, and Turks; Jews were also involved and intertwined. During the crusades, it is evident that the atmosphere of the Eastward movement, which continued for several centuries, engulfing almost all of Europe in a whirlpool, highly influenced socioeconomic factors and spiritual motivations. Since the middle of the 11th century, peasants suffered from decreased agricultural productivity. Even more, there was no mobility of social status and no stratification of peasants. In particular, the peasant's and merchants' life in feudal society became more impoverished. Also, the low-ranking knights' life was not luxury as feudal lords, and they had to gain prestige. Therefore, the Crusades were primarily motivated by a desire for economic gains, such as low-ranking knights joining the expedition to gain prestige which led to improved wealth, merchants hoping to achieve economic growth, and peasants breaking free from the pressures of feudal society.

Every knight's motive for joining the crusade was distinct, and they joined the crusades because of expeditions to gain territorial control to become more prosperous by gaining prestige. Knights' life was harsh under the feudal lord's commands. However, they gained more wealth than peasants. In document H, William of Tyre's A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea 1170-1174, informs that the primary goal of the Knights was to protect roads and routes from robbers and brigands and make their wealth by obtaining economic rewards. However, they desired more wealth, so they joined in amassing more incredible wealth and power. They had eventually forsaken humility, seized tithes and first fruits from God's churches, and disrupted their wealth due to their desire, making themselves highly problematic. Knights joined the Knight Templar, and their wealth was comparable to the monarchs' treasures, proving their opulence. Knights tried to gain status and prestige by joining Knights Templar. Their action shows that they desire economic gain because the possibility of becoming a Knight Templar provided an excellent opportunity for the impoverished knights to become wealthy by following the chivalric precepts. More reason Additionally, in document F, Nicholas Mesarites, Crusaders' takeover of the Byzantine capital, Constantinople 1147, also informs their economic sense and motivation after the Byzantine Empire struck. They searched houses and bodies to find expansive items. Byzantine Empire was Christian Empire; however, this perfectly shows that the Crusaders did not fight for Christianity; they fought for their desire and wealth. Eventually, knights under feudal lords gained more wealth in the crusades sacking cities and expansive derivative goods. 

Merchants were so eager for economic growth that they joined the Crusades. Merchants took part in the Crusades by stealing goods and harvests from destroyed infidel cities for their commerce. In document G, The Crusades, historian Thomas Asbridge, 2010 informs that these merchants' actions were the primary reason for developing commerce in western Europe, with Italy serving as the primary trading place. Also, they did it for their desire. Venetian, Pisa, and Genoese merchants played crucial roles in the trading process, establishing the Crusaders' ports and routes. Also, they monopolize significant commerce centers controlled by Muslims and profit from transporting crusaders to the Middle East. They made a well-developed trading route that was too vital to disturb. These trading routes made precious products from the Middle East and Asia reached Europe's market, and the Crusade states saw rapid economic growth. Furthermore, merchants monopolizing commerce centers led the commerce network to develop, and leading cities such as Venice rise to prominence as the vital commercial center. More reason Because of the luxury goods they acquired, they could transform their lives from poverty to wealth, or at least close to it. 

Peasants in Western Europe suffered as a result of decreased agricultural output. For many years, drought, starvation, and sickness have ravaged the peasant population. These catastrophes affected the peasants to seek a desire to break free by joining crusades, abandoning their serfs, and obtaining fortune by destroying cities and acquiring commodities. Many unexpected bands of peasants were organized and ready to set off to Jerusalem. In document E, A Hostile View of the Second Crusade from Annales Herbipolenses,1147, informs there were some motivated by poverty who were in dire difficulties at home. These men went to battle against the enemies of Christianity. However, they also attacked Christians whenever they arose to alleviate their hardship. Others were enslaved by debts owed to other men. As it stated above, Crusades attacked Byzantine Empire because they had lots of goods and better economy which led them to sack the cities. 

A hundred of thousands of men were appointed to serve in the Crusades to relieve their hardship.