Challenges of Church history/the Crusades

Challenges of Church history/the Crusades History as Imitatio Christi: a forgotten approach to history, that Jesus is the Lord of history, its beginning and end, to view history as an imitation and lived experience of his life with all it joys and sorrows. Change in way to study history after Enlightenment and writings of Karl Marx: history is now viewed from the lenses of being ultimately dictated by economic factors, class warfare, in general negative view of religions contribution to society, etc. Notable anti- catholic rhetoric in much of history that needs to be accessed and understood. In more recent historical studies, authors have allowed personal biases, agenda, opinions to obstruct historical data or is taken too much out of the context of when the event occurred, projecting ideals and opinions of our times that did not exist in those time periods. How to be objective, how to study history in its context? The discipline of history, long hours spent in archives, dusty libraries and years taken to write a history book, now are mass produced and at times rely too heavily on one source. A danger in both secular AND Catholic history!!!! The vice of laziness and unqualified individuals composing historical works- the big culprit, journalists writing histories, this is what gets sold in mass quantities at chapters and amazon.com, not the in general boring and very technical historical tomes that give a much more objective and complete rendition of a historical event. Experience of comment boxes, Facebook posts, newspaper snippets and misinformation taught in schools, a great amount of ignorance and misinformation about what Crusades were and were not, how does the Church respond? Not with triumphalism and say all was just fine, not with defeatism and say all was wrong, but understanding what and why it happened, good, bad and ugly! The Crusades: Our focus will be on crusades to the Holy Land, as crusades were also fought in Spain, the Baltic region, and parts of Mediterranean. Lead up to the First Crusades, brief history of the Holy Land: After 137AD, Jewish rebellion by Bar Kokbha fails and Jews by and large exiled from Jerusalem. Is a roman pagan city called of Ælia Capitolina. Both Christians and Jews remain in Jerusalem and parts of holy land, but mostly a roman/greek pagan population. With rise of Constantine see return of Christians to holy land and governance by the Byzantine empire, under direction and patronage of ST. Helena churches built over sites of Christ s life (birth, paschal mystery, etc). In 614 the Persians invaded the holy land and destroyed most of the Christian holy sites except Bethlehem (saw image of three magi in Persian dressed and so spared the church), short period of 15 or years of Jewish/Persian control over Holy Land. The Emperor Heraclius responded by going to war with Persians, able to reclaim relics of the True Cross (till story of their return to Jerusalem) and restores Palestine to the Byzantine empire. Victory is short lived as massive change comes in 622 when Mohammed and Islam arise. Jerusalem and Palestine was conquered in 638 after Patriarch Sophronius surrendered the city in exchange of the lives of Christians. City and country placed under the control of a caliph (Jerusalem was believed to be where Mohammed assumed into heaven,

hence the Dome of the Rock mosque being built where the Temple once existed). The country was largely now Muslim, though Christians and Jews allowed to live in country by paying a head tax. Relatively peaceful till the 11 th Century and the arise of Seljuk Turkish empire which becomes the major power. Takes control of Palestine but also begins to expand into the Byzantine empire in Greece and Asia Minor (turkey). While Muslim caliphs had for many centuries not attempted invasion into the eastern Christian empire, now aggressively trying to expand. They were not Arab and conquered Armenia, Syria and Palestine in quick succession and disrupted the peace that existed in the region. Once they conquered Jerusalem, they destroyed churches, murdered clergy and began to attack pilgrims who would travel from Europe and Asia minor to visit holy sites. Pilgrim highways soon became very dangerous and murdered and pillage of caravans became more and more common. IN 1009 Holy Sepulchre is destroyed! IN 1071 the Emperor Romanuus IV responded at Battle of Manzikert and was defeated and Turks looked to conquer Constantinople. Emperor Alexius I Comnenus came to power, raised mercenary army and sent word to the Pope for help to defend the east from invasion, reclaim the Holy Sites and protect pilgrims travelling to Holy Land. Pope Gregory VII was aware and willing to help, but invasions from Vikings, Hungarians and Islam into Spain preoccupied western Christians forces. Nonetheless he saw it as a chance to reclaim holy land and even restore unity to eastern and western churches. IN 1095 Emperor Alexius I sends envoy to Rome for assistance, on Nov 27, 1095, at Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II preached the First Crusade! His message was the following: A war of liberation was required on behalf of the knights of western Europe: To assist eastern Christians from oppression of Turkish rule, to liberate Jerusalem the city of Jesus Christ and protect pilgrims on route to visit holy sites. IN the mind of the medieval Christians, Jerusalem was the centre of the world, and to visit the holy site, relics which were conduits of divine grace and to embark on the pilgrimage as a penance for sins, was absolutely essential for all Christians. Urban painted a picture for his audience: Churches were destroyed or converted into mosques, altars defiled, Christians circumcised and blood smeared on baptismal fonts, other disembowel, flogged, beheaded, women raped, etc...the effect was immediate, the knights of Europe would go to wear to liberate the Holy Land and reclaim it for Christ. Urban called them the solders of St. Peter. To spread the word, Urban sent bishops and trained preachers to spread the word throughout Europe, to take up the cross and follow Christ who was now being crucified once again in Jerusalem in the destruction of his holy sites and oppression and murder of his pilgrims. For Urban, the Crusade was not just a military intervention to reclaim Asia Minor, but was also a pilgrimage. Each crusader vowed to not just go to war, but to also visit the Holy Sepulchre. Since it was of great personal cost to take up the crusade...part of the appeal of the Crusade was also the indulgence offered for temporal punishment due to sin to be remitted, thus bypassing purgatory... Was not a unified army, but a collection of professional knights, servants, serfs, clergy, some armed, some not all going to Jerusalem! Even though women, the elderly, the crippled, monks and priests without permission were forbidden to go, off they went!

General overview of Marxist vision of crusades: Was a way to end violence in Europe, too many not firstborn sons if not in clerical state with no land, title or way to advance in society (2, 3 rd sons, greedy barons, disgraced land owners, all in all the riffraff of Europe went)= solution, conquer the Holy Land, set up new feudal states, and export violence. Essentially a cash grab wearing the mask of a holy war, was Europe s first colonial conquest! A view popularized in the 1960 s. Crusades were just pious pretext for people to get rich, religion was not the impetus of the crusade, just a pious diversion from the real goal of conquest and fortune! This is the predominate view of why Crusades were launched! Cannot deny has some truth to it, inheritance disputes was a problem for Europe but problem is that these theories are not largely based on the documents we have from this time period. Recently, historians are able to study these texts in their original form and they reveal a very different story: When first crusade was launched, about 150000 men and women responded and most were not knights or nobility with anything to gain financially. Majority were poor but its leaders were not second and third born sons, but the first born sons, the lords of vast estates in Europe. To finance a crusade for a noble man was enormous (about 5 to 6 times his annual income, most had to sell large amounts of land or possessions to finance crusade), often took their family and servants with them, and Pope decreed that plunder was forbidden to any noble, it alone belonged to the Byzantine emperor. Very few crusader lords remained after the First Crusade, completed their pilgrimage to the Seplcuhre and returned to Europe economically ruined and with little chance to get land in Palestine as forbidden by pope as all land to go to Byzantine Emperor. PROBLEM of us interpreting their motive with a modern and not medieval mindset. One s nobility in those days measured more by one s piety than wealth, hence one was seen as truly noble if gave land and wealth to build churches sand monasteries or shrines for the people or go on crusade, they truly stored up treasure that they would reap in heaven. It was the God given duty of nobility to use their wealth to bless God and his people the Church and the crusade was the most noble of all, to offer one s life to defend those in need and restore the holiest shrine of Christendom to God s people! NOT TO suggest that these were purely saintly armies, no like an army was a mix of saints and sinners, knights and butchers, but to suggest they went to war to simply move violence out of Europe to Holy Land simply not true, the sword exists in all times and place. And the reality was those soldiers of fortune left the Holy Land empty handed, both the pious soldier and the mercenary went home poor... 3 Criteria that Church has used to access was it a just war? Just Cause: For centuries struggle to protect Christians who remained in the Holy Land. Under Islamic rule, were permitted to remain but at a price, had the Jizya or head tax placed on them, very oppressive at times and even were forced to make public displays of humiliation for being Christians like wearing life sized crucifix around one s body. Things changed for the worse when the Seljuk Turks conquered the Holy Land and began to persecute Christians. Their leader destroyed most of the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the tomb of Christ, the holiest shrine of Christendom. Also, for centuries Christians in Europe made pilgrimages to Holy Land, had been in past left alone, and now were being murdered on route (no protection!). Call from the byzantine emperor to Western Europe to help, could

not defend the Holy Land on his own, needed Europe to respond: Was it a just cause? Yes, the crusade was essentially a defensive war, they did not provoke violence, it was brought by the Seljuk Turks in destroying the Sepulchre, killing pilgrims and threatening to conquer more of the Byzantine Empire, the needed response was armed defence and reclaim what was the common inheritance of the subjects of Jesus Christ the King! WAS not a war of conversion to make Muslims/Jews Christians or to conquer Orthodox, which was often the reason for launching action against enemies of Christendom, the crusades to the holy land were a new concept. Motivation was a two fold liberation: Of oppressed Christians and Christian places (and outside chance of reunifying two churches). Secondary cause was that of pilgrimage and remission of temporal punishment due to sin, which actually for most crusaders became their primary motivation! Legitimate authority: understanding who the pope was in 11 th century Europe. Christendom was the kingdom of Christ, it extends upon heaven and earth and for Christians the whole world belonged to Christ, the king of the universe. Since he reigned in heaven, his viceroy, his prime minister, the one who called the shots for him on earth was the pope, and in those days he was the most important king in Europe though he had little land in reality. BUT to him was the right to call to arms to reclaim what belonged to Christ the King. Because Christ became flesh, the most holy places on earth were those that his feet actually touched, so the Holy Land always belonged to him and by extension to those of his kingdom, Christians under the leadership of the Pope. For the Pope to call for a crusade then was to exercise his legitimate authority to do so. Though should be noted the Pope never sought to become temporal ruler of Jerusalem, was content to have a European prince take on this role. Right Intention: a crusade was also a penitential war, that is you took up the cross to defend the Holy Land not only to protect the weak and reclaim what belonged to Christians, but was also a way to receive remission of punishment of your sins, to put yourself in bodily danger in the name of a just cause, the reward of an indulgence to fully remitted any punishment you may have occurred for your sins. Change in reconciliation, before absolution was withheld until penance done, now absolution given and penance to be performed which concerned Christians, had they adequately made reparation for sins, did any punishment in purgatory still await? Crusade offered ability to pay the debt, to obtain full remission of temporal punishment due to sin. Thus, a crusade for the crusader was not about gaining wealth, land, title but about your salvation. Issue of homicide vs malecide- a crusade was not about killing individuals but seeking to destroy evil, for crusader their intention was not to kill Muslims as another human being, but to root out the evil they stood for, namely a religion that denied Jesus was God and kept people from embracing Christianity. A delicate line to walk! AGAIN we have to understand people as they thought then and not judge then on ideals we hold in our modern times!!! Short history of the 5 Crusades in Holy Land First Crusade: After Call of Urban II and papal preachers for crusade, they set off: Mostly from France, northern Germany, Italy. Travel overland to Turkey, down through modern day Lebanon to Jerusalem. Others travel via the sea from Italy. Departure date was Aug 15, 1096- Prior to this date, optimism was high and many anxious to go and saw preparations of nobility too long to wait! So did Peter the Hermit, stirred up enthusiasm and off he and many went ill prepared and poorly organized, other nobles

followed but once at Constantinople were denied entrance, Peter debated with Emperor who gave them passage into turkey but were slaughtered by Turks. Peter returned to Constantinople alone! The PEOPLE s crusade was a disaster, were also responsible for sack and murder of Jews in Europe, bishops tried to defend them but to little success, a horrible legacy till this day, the unauthorized people s crusade was as disgrace and failure. Main body and well prepared crusades left for Constantinople in august 1096. French nobles meet Alexius and he promises to provide soldiers, transportation and lead the army himself! They take an oath to emperor to give all lands over to him. The emperor transports them into Asia minor. First take the city of Nicaea and then move on to Antioch in the harshness of the desert. Baldwin goes to Armenia for help, ends up becoming king of Edessa in process, first feudal lord in holy land! Began a siege of Antioch in winter 1097/98, in meantime Fatimid of Egypt had conquered Turks and claimed Jerusalem, the starved crusaders began to think to return home. In the meantime, byzantine started to march to Antioch then went back home and leaders broke oaths to return lands to Alexius. Morale low, vision of Holy Lance in Antioch (though was in Constantinople), they found something likely a fake but morale raised and believed Christ was urging them on! Go to battle outside the city against large Turkish force and win, acquire supplies, control of Edessa and Antioch and ready for Jerusalem ( those watching from city walls said angels and saints and fallen crusaders fought with them that day). On June 6 th enter Bethlehem (still an entirely Christian city) with a grand welcome and gaze on Jerusalem for the first time! IT was formidable, massive walls, all Christians had been kicked out of city, wells around it poisoned, so siege must begin. Like with Jericho in OT, crusaders start with a penitential procession, bare foot and in pilgrims clothes around the city, singing psalms, carrying relics, till on top of mount of olives. Assault begins July 13. Breach the Gate of the Column on July 15 and open gates to rest of army. IN an army was made up of both knights of the noble classes who were in charge of the campaign, and common soldiers, undisciplined and difficult to control. When city was breached, standard practice of the time was for the entire city to be put to the sword but this does not happen. Did the streets run knee deep in blood, no was an exaggeration from a medieval manuscript to describe the battle, for such a feat to occur would require the blood of more people than lived in the entire Middle East and only about 10000 in Jerusalem! No denying many killed in first attacked. Others were allowed to buy freedom or simply deported or held for ransom as was practice of the day (records from synagogues in Cairo and Alexandria of ransom and new occupants who came from Jerusalem). Jerusalem was won, an amazing feat by any military standard, for the crusaders was the finger of God. Aftermath of First Crusade and the Second: Jerusalem was won but now what to do? Still in the heart of a hostile Muslim empire and most of the crusaders returned home. Oaths to Alexis no longer applied, was suggested the Patriarch of Jerusalem or papal legate rule in the place of the Pope, it was Christ s city after all, should not his vicar rule? No one would accept to be king, Christ alone was, but Godfrey of Bouillon accepts to be defender of the Holy Sepulchre. Godfrey dies and Baldwin crowned king of Jerusalem. In time land carved up into the Kingdom of Jerusalem, County of Tripoli, Principality of Antioch, County of Edessa. Issue is how to protect them as cities of Ascalon, Aleppo and Damascus in Syria all formidable and threatened to undue what had been accomplished. Battles rage between crusaders and Muslims to secure Christian presence in holy land. Also original crusaders had all died and

new generation were those who had been raised in the Holy Land (outremer, the land over the sea) and often lacked the piety and zeal of their forefathers. But in new Christian states peaceful existence among Christians and Muslims, had little to do with each other but coexisted and even exchange cultural ideas (philo gets to Europe!), a new culture merges which blended Europe and the middle east. IN meantime issue of getting more permanent crusaders arises and how to protect new influx of pilgrims to the land. Birth of the military orders (Hospitaliers and Templars)- monks (not priests) who lived as a monks but also went to war, guarded caravans and accompanied pilgrims. Explain spirituality of the templars! Now have a permanent military defence who embodies ideals of the crusader as solider of Christ, at least for now... Second Crusade: a shaky peace existed between Jerusalem and Damascus after it was attacked by a rival Muslim warlord, Zengi. Zengi notices weaknesses of crusader states and conquers Edessa. Fear of losing the Holy Land effects Europe so in 1145 Pope Eugenius III calls for a new crusade to be launched and preached by the great St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who also preached about leaving the Jews of Europe alone for they were the living words of scripture as brethren of Christ, he even went to a city where Jews had been murdered to threaten them with divine judgement and excommunication. Once crusaders arrive in holy land, meet many defeats as ill prepared and abandon original goal of recapturing Edessa and decide to try to take Damascus to protect borders. The allegiance was broken and siege began, it fails and they retreated in shame. As total disasters, did not reclaim Edessa, failed at Damascus and showed Muslims they were not invisible and divided. For Bernard, why did it fail, the sins of Christians in Europe prevented victory, they needed to be purged... Prelude to Third Crusade: IN aftermath of Second Crusade, Nur ed- Din proclaims a jihad to expel Christians from Holy Land, no more coexistence! The Crusader States were unraveling due to weak leadership. Meanwhile, Christians nobles in the Holy Land began to spend their time pillaging Christian cities in the Byzantine empire to the horror of the emperor and king Baldwin. Other problem is the Christians become interested in invading Egypt, not for religious reasons but to get rich and protect borders! Christians strike alliance with Fatimids and garrison put in Cairo so that Egypt becomes a Christian protectorate. But Amalric, new king of Jerusalem wanted to take Egypt for his own. Hospiallters agree to help, Templars do not remembering the disaster of Damascus. When Fatimids learn of invasion, turn to Nu red- Din for help and soundly defeat Christians. Saladin comes to power after his uncle dies, he drives all Christians out of Egypt and takes it for his own. Meanwhile new king in Jerusalem, Baldwin IV, 13 and a leper. Saladin controls territory around Jerusalem and becomes caliph of Syria and Egypt. Saladin conquers byzantine forces and they retreat to Constantinople, Europe will not send more soldiers, Crusader states ripe for picking. Meanwhile Baldwin is dying and nobles vying to become the next king. Saladin takes advantage and advance but then retreats after realizing he need more forces. Baldwin dies and the kingdom begins to collapse and Saladin marches once again and breaks the truce because knights were attacking Muslim caravans. Christians go to meet him at the Horns of Hattin, a barren hill between Nazareth and the sea of Galilee. Prior to Saladin had attacked Tiberius to provoke Christians to attack him as he knew could not win in a

traditional battle but draw them out to Hattin and let the hot weather take its toll before they attacked. Templers say go to war and when they lay camp Saladin sets the land on fire to choke them with smoke and heat and exhausted went to war and were massacred, Saladin personally executing many and having all templar and hospitallers executed. Other sold in slavery, relics of true cross taken to Damascus as a prize. Almost every Christian knight gone from holy land, march to Jerusalem began. They surrendered on October 2, 1187. Originally planned to kill al Christians inside, was compelled not to after Balian (remember Kingdom of Heaven) threatened to destroy all Muslim holy sites and kill Muslims in the city, so Christians allowed to leave Jerusalem if they could pay, others sold in slavery. Third Crusade to reclaim Jerusalem! Many respond, not just nobles, but the kings of Europe. Pope Gregory VIII calls for a 7 year truce of war in Europe to reclaim holy city that had fell because of sins of Christians. Such kings including Frederick Barbarossa, Richard the Lionhearted. Germans under Frederick go first but after his tragic drowning in Armenia, they abandon crusade. Philip I of France and Richard the lionhearted arrive at Acre in 1191and reclaim True Cross as ransom and Philip decides to return to France. Richard defeats Saladin on route to Jaffa. Begin march of Jerusalem. Arrive at Jerusalem on June 7, 1993 well garrisoned and wells poisoned. Turn back and decide to take Egypt to weaken Saladin then return for Jerusalem. Morale dissolves and diplomacy reigns as Saladin give back Christians lands from Tyre to Jaffa and access to pilgrims to Jerusalem. Richard returns home. Despite no reclaiming holy city, was a success in healed divisions in the kingdoms, gave access to Jerusalem for pilgrims and weakened Saladin who soon died and caused disunity in Muslim world. Fourth Crusade: While Richard was successful in many respects, the inability to reclaim Jerusalem did not sit well with Christendom, even if now had freedoms to enter the city and visit the shrines. IN 1198, Innocent III proclaims a new crusade to reclaim Jerusalem. Was his great passion, even taxed priests and monks to finance the crusade! England and France at War, Germany in civil war who will take up the Cross? French nobles and republic of Venice agree to lead the crusade. DISASTER FROM THE GET GO! Crusaders agree to capture city of Zara on Dalmatian coast for Venice to get them to Holy Land. At same time, Alexius Angelus, deposed prince of Byzantine asked crusades to aid him in reclaiming his throne and in return would help get them to Egypt to start their crusade. Despite Pope Innocent forbidding them from attacking Zara, Venetians encourage French to even at threat of excommunication. They attacked Zara anyways and now all participants of fourth crusade excommunicated. French repent and are forgiven, venetians do not and remain under excommunication. IN meantime agree to help Alexius who promised reunion with Rome, an army for crusade and cash. Despite being very unpopular among soldiers, nobles agree to the plan. When Innocent finds out, he forbids them from continuing as had already rejected to help Alexius but continue to do so. No way could take the fortified city but expecting a popular uprising to occur which would bring Alexis to power free of much conflict, instead the crusaders are jeered at to their astonishment. Broke and trapped, crusaders become desperate and start to attack villages around the city and then the city itself. The citizen had change of heart and demanded Alexius be restored. Crusaders welcomed to the city, amazed at its beauty and wealth and relics, and crusaders paid and preparation for crusade underway, even said to rejoin with Rome! But cash start to dry up and crusaders asked to leave. Since emperor would not pay, they would take land in reparation. People demand war with crusaders, Alexius

is deposed and new emperor comes to power. New emperor attempts peace with crusaders, to joy of knights who anxious to get to Jerusalem but for leaders issue as still not been paid. Clergy among them said since new emperor was a murderer and were schismatic from Rome, a crusade against them was a just war and vows could be fulfilled here! Never given papal approval but the leaders did not care. Begin their attack on Constantinople, Mass offered for their success and even excommunicated invited to receive communion. ON April 13, 1204 Crusaders take Constantinople. Was though Boniface, the crusader leader, would become the new emperor, Boniface was interested but delayed his coronation and the crusaders sacked the city of its riches, including sacking churches and defiling women. Hagia Sophia was stripped of its treasure, Eucharist was defiled and French prostitute sat on imperial throne to mock the people! When Innocent III heard what happened, filled with shame and rebuked them for murder of fellow Christians, desecration of churches and defiling women and even nuns. A new Latin emperor was selected and reunion with Rome but in reality never occurred. Crusaders returned home and Europe saw it as vengeance against the Greeks for not helping defend the Holy Land in 1187, though cannot be denied it was a complete disaster, an abomination and insult to the purpose of a crusade. Fifth Crusade: Innocent III calls for new crusade in aftermath of 4 th. Called men and women of all classes to participate, either in actually going or fasting, penance, monetary donations, etc. To prevent failure of before, the Church undertook preparation for this crusade. Preachers send out to preach the crusade, all to participate, even old, sick and children by prayer and fasting. Usually indulgences were given in addition to freedom from taxation while on crusade, (sadly when seeds of indulgence abuses begin...). Some nobles in France respond, many from Hungary, biggest was Frederick II of Germany. Crusaders land in Acre and joined by small crusader armies in crusader states. Plan to attack Egypt first to secure position despite desire of soldiers to take Jerusalem which templars and hosptiallers said was too hard to maintain without fortresses of Transjordan. Besiege city of Damietta, Egypt. Take Damietta, even cared for sick infants and baptized them. Crusaders stall and wait for HRE Frederick II and his armies. Further advances in Egypt fail and told to surrender Damietta (Nile port city) in exchange for peace in region and return of True Cross. Damietta is lost and crusade is done, again in failure after a bright start. Also when St Francis of Assisi arrived in his desire to convert sultan to Christianity, though he was a envoy to discuss peace when Francis wished to reveal errors of Islam, sultan was intrigued by the holy man but unconvinced and sent him back to the crusaders. Meanwhile Frederick yet to leave for crusade too much unpopularity in Europe and threat of excommunication for unfulfilled vow. New pope Gregory IX, Frederick still refuses to go and so is excommunicated. When said he would go was forbidden as was evident his intent was military conquest and not pilgrimage. Problem for crusaders, do you follow him or not? Frederick arrives in Acre, his men do, Military orders and clergy will not fight with him. Frederick employs diplomacy and is given Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth (to which Frederick would be come king) in exchange for peace and protection of Muslims in his kingdom. Crusaders see it as a cope out and betrayal of crusaders as condition was city to be left unfortified and thus vulnerable to future invasion.

Attempted coronation a no go. Frederick leaves and patriarch and templar attempt to fortify city, Frederick has them arrested. Frederick goes back to Germany due to threats to his kingdom while Jersualem remained in Christian hands but unsure of future.. End of Crusades: As he leaves, Frederick destroys Templar, Hospitallar and Crusader state defences. IN 1239 Muslims reclaim Jerusalem which was left undefended. IN 1244, Christians massacred, Sepulchre burned, churches destroyed and Crusader states near to collapse. St. Louis IX attempts to take Holy Land via Egypt in 1247, Damietta captured and push inland only to be repelled and lose Damietta once again. Nonetheless desires to go to Holy Land, lands in Acre, greeted a hero and king for his nobility and piety, he fortified Acre, Caesarea, Jaffa and Sidon. After he departs for home, Mongols sweep in and take Holy Land! AS they conquered Muslim lands, hope perhaps they would give Holy Land back to Christians but quickly realize they are bent on world domination! In meantime, crusader sates continue to weaken due to infighting among Christians. Mamuluks of Egypt take advantage and begin to conquer crusader states, including Nazareth, Antioch and Galilee. Christians driven back till only the fortified city of Acre remains! Despite bravery of Templars and Hosptiallers, the city falls in 1291 and crusader states are done forever! Legacy: IN 18 th century, crusades become embodiment of intolerance, wars of power mad clergy, Romantics of 19 th century desire to rehabilitate gothic/medieval culture and eulogize piety of medieval religion. Walter Scott The talisman helps fashion crusades for modern mind, Saladin seen as merciful and chivalric liberator, wise and tolerant unlike Richard who is wild, brutish, intolerant and greedy. French of 1800s have great nostalgia for crusades and begin new colonisation process, Germans follow suit, crusaders are resurrected but not as pious warriors but colonizing warriors. IN WWI armies often called crusaders, saw Ottoman defeat as completing legacy of Richard and Louis, Saladin we have returned. Marxism and its influence on history begins to be noticed, Runciman s 3 volume work on history of crusades in 1950 s changes crusades from religious war/popular piety to economic and religious intolerance and superstition, embodied pop culture view of crusades. This work has been challenged and shown lacking in newer works of past 20 years (Riley- Smith, Madden, barber, etc). IN general university curriculum to date is still relying on texts from 1960-70 s, newer research is having a hard time gaining recognition despite the rigours discipline it executes. Interestingly that in Muslim world crusades very little recorded in history even Saladin was forgotten (in general Islamic history up to 1900s have little interest in history outside the Muslim world)! Only with rise of radical Islam that crusades were seen as first imperialist conquest of Middle East and legacy now in US and others.