First Crusade

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to wash away their sins and ensure a place in
heaven.
e) Some went for adventure.
f) Some wanted a chance to gain some of the riches of the east.
g) Some here forced to go by their feudal lords.

The Crusaders continued an older tradition of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Now, however, they assumed two roles as pilgrims and warriors. Such an armed pilgrimage was regarded as a justifiable war, because it was fought to recapture the places sacred to that of the Christians.

Jerusalem had been under Muslim rule since the 7th century, but pilgrimages were not cut off until the 11th century (when the Seljuk Turks began to interfere with Christian pilgrims). For Christians, the very name of Jerusalem evoked visions of the end of time and of the heavenly city. To help rescue the Holy Land fulfilled the ideal of the Christian knight. The hope of eternal merit and the offer of indulgences motivated thousands to enroll in the cause.

Political considerations were also important. ...

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his speech, cries of "Dues le wolt! - "Godwills it!" – were shouted from the crowd. Just after the Pope ended his speech, the bishop of Le Puy fell to his knees and asked permission to join the "Holy Expedition." Hundreds crowded up to later follow his example. Each man involved with the expedition was to wear a cross in symbolization of his dedication. Anyone who took this cross vowed to go to Jerusalem. Everyone was to be ready to leave his home by
August 15. The armies were to meet in Constantinople. When they were all together pope Urban wanted to make it clear that the crusade was under the control of the church, so he appointed Bishop Le Puy as the leader . When Urban ...

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