The English crusading army (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Notes
The English crusading army
England's participation in the Third Crusade
The Third Crusade marked a significant turning point in English involvement in crusading activities. For the first time, large numbers of English crusaders joined the expedition to the Holy Land, making this crusade particularly important for understanding England's role in mediaeval religious warfare.
This widespread participation was largely supported by the English population, who viewed crusading as one of the most noble duties a Christian king could undertake. The crusading movement had captured the imagination of mediaeval England, creating both enthusiasm and some concerns about its impact on the kingdom.
The Third Crusade (1189-1192) was also known as the Kings' Crusade because it was led by three major European monarchs: Richard I of England, Philip II of France, and Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire.
Who joined the crusading army
The English crusading force was remarkably diverse, drawing participants from all levels of mediaeval society. Understanding this composition helps explain both the scale and significance of English involvement in the Third Crusade.
Noble participants
Knights formed the backbone of the crusading army, including members from some of the most important noble families in England. These experienced warriors brought their military expertise and resources to the campaign. Alongside the knights, many of their squires and other members of their military households also took part, creating substantial contingents from individual noble estates.
Professional military forces
King Richard I demonstrated his commitment to the crusade by hiring approximately 8,000 professional soldiers specifically for the campaign. This represented a massive military investment and showed how seriously the English crown took its crusading responsibilities. These hired soldiers provided the disciplined core around which the rest of the army could be organised.
The hiring of 8,000 professional soldiers was unprecedented for an English monarch and demonstrated the enormous scale of resources dedicated to the Third Crusade.
Religious participants
The Church played a crucial role in the crusading army. Important religious leaders joined the expedition, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Hubert Walter, Bishop of Salisbury. Many ordinary priests also participated, serving dual roles as spiritual guides and sometimes as fighters themselves.
The presence of clergy was essential for maintaining morale and providing the religious justification that motivated the entire enterprise. They conducted services, heard confessions, and reminded crusaders of their sacred mission.
Civilian supporters
The crusading army also included many civilians who performed essential support functions. Women worked as cooks, baggage carriers, and nurses, providing vital services that kept the army functioning. Some civilian women even married other crusaders during the campaign, showing how the crusade created new social connections.
The participation of women in crusading armies was more common than often assumed. They provided essential logistical support that was crucial for the army's survival and effectiveness in hostile territory.
English attitudes towards the crusaders
Public opinion in England strongly favoured the crusading expedition, though this support was not universal. Most English people viewed their king's decision to lead a crusade as the highest religious duty that any Christian monarch could perform, bringing honour to both the king and the kingdom.
Popular support
The majority of English people respected Richard I for keeping his promise to join the crusade, particularly since most mediaeval English kings had never attempted such a feat. This made Richard unique among English monarchs and enhanced his reputation as a truly Christian king.
Many English people were horrified by reports that Jerusalem had fallen under Muslim control and felt a strong Christian duty to support efforts to recapture the Holy City. This religious motivation created widespread sympathy for the crusading cause.
Concerns and opposition
However, not everyone supported the Third Crusade. Some people worried about the enormous costs involved in funding such a large military expedition. They questioned whether England could afford to support the campaign while also maintaining domestic responsibilities.
Others expressed concerns about having their king absent from England for extended periods. They worried about who would govern the kingdom effectively and protect English interests while Richard was fighting in the distant Holy Land.
Common Concerns About the Crusade:
- The massive financial burden on the English treasury
- Lack of effective governance during the king's absence
- Potential threats to English territories while military resources were deployed abroad
- The risk of losing the king in battle far from home
Motivations for joining the crusade
Understanding why people chose to join the crusading army reveals the complex mix of religious, economic, and personal factors that drove mediaeval crusading.
Financial incentives
Economic motivations played a significant role in attracting crusaders. Those who took crusading vows were exempt from paying the special crusading tax known as the Saladin tithe, providing immediate financial relief.
The Holy Land also offered opportunities for gaining wealth and acquiring new territories. Successful crusaders could potentially claim lands conquered from Muslim forces, creating prospects for long-term economic advancement.
Professional soldiers received regular payment for their service, making crusading a viable career option. Additionally, many crusaders had their existing debts cancelled while they were away, providing relief from financial obligations.
Religious motivations
The Pope promised all crusaders a full indulgence, meaning complete forgiveness of their sins. This spiritual reward was incredibly attractive in mediaeval Christian society, where people deeply feared the consequences of sin in the afterlife.
Many priests actively encouraged participation by telling dramatic stories of Muslim atrocities against Christians. These accounts, whether accurate or exaggerated, inflamed religious passion and created a sense of urgent Christian duty.
Jerusalem held special significance as the most sacred of all Christian sites. Going on pilgrimage to Jerusalem was already a common religious practice, and the crusade offered an opportunity to combine pilgrimage with military service for God.
Many participants genuinely believed they had a religious obligation to help win back Christian control of the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem itself.
Example: Religious Motivation in Practice
A typical English knight might be motivated by the combination of:
- Spiritual reward: Full indulgence promised by the Pope
- Pilgrimage opportunity: Visiting the most sacred Christian sites
- Religious duty: Belief in obligation to reclaim Jerusalem for Christianity
- Social pressure: Encouragement from local priests and community leaders
Personal and social motivations
Beyond religious and financial considerations, many people joined the crusade for personal reasons. The expedition offered opportunities for travel and adventure that would otherwise be impossible for most mediaeval people.
Participating in a crusade brought glory and respect to crusaders and their families. Success in the Holy Land could enhance a family's reputation for generations.
For knights, joining a crusade helped fulfil their service obligations to their lords while serving God simultaneously. This combination of feudal duty and religious devotion was particularly appealing.
Some crusaders were motivated by desires for revenge against Muslims who had captured Jerusalem and killed Christians. This emotional drive added intensity to their commitment to the cause.
Timeline of key events
- 1187: Jerusalem falls to Muslim forces under Saladin, prompting calls for a new crusade
- 1189: Richard I becomes King of England and takes the crusader's vow
- 1189-1190: Recruitment and preparation of the English crusading army
- 1190: Departure of English forces for the Holy Land
- 1191-1192: Active campaigning in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade
Key Points to Remember:
- The Third Crusade was the first to involve large numbers of English participants, making it historically significant for England
- The crusading army included people from all levels of society: nobles, professional soldiers, clergy, and civilians including women
- Most English people supported the crusade as a religious duty, though some worried about costs and the king's absence
- People joined for a mixture of financial incentives (no crusading tax, potential wealth, paid service), religious rewards (full indulgence, pilgrimage opportunities), and personal motivations (adventure, glory, revenge)
- Key figures included King Richard I, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Hubert Walter, Bishop of Salisbury, demonstrating the importance placed on the expedition by both secular and religious authorities