Urban II and the preaching of the First Crusade (OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)): Revision Notes
Urban II and the preaching of the First Crusade
In 1088, Urban II was elected as the new Pope. He was a protégé and supporter of the great mediaeval reformer, Pope Gregory VII. Like Gregory VII, he imposed Cluniac reforms including the end of simony.
Illustration of Pope Urban II as he preached about the Crusade at the Council of Clermont.
Cause
After the control over Anatolia, the Byzantine Empire feared the security of its capital, Constantinople. Through a letter, Byzantine Emperor Alexius I appealed to Urban II for help.
Effect
As a response, Urban II made his speech at the Council of Clermont urging every social class to embark on a righteous war to rescue the Holy Land from the hands of the 'infidels.' About 60,000 to 100,000 people responded and marched to Jerusalem, known as the First Crusade.
Urban II and the preaching of the First Crusade
In his speech, Pope Urban called for a holy war in the Holy Land. He vividly described the numerous attacks upon the Christian pilgrims visiting these centres.
His speech was in keeping with the spirit of the religious revival of the XI century.
He also spoke of the military threat to the fellow Christians of Constantinople. He urged his Christian listeners to take up the holy cause, promising to all those who repented of sins and to all who died in the expedition immediate entry to Paradise.
Then Pope Urban changed the approach of his speech. He dwelt upon the feudal love of tournaments and warfare and urged the barons to give up their unrighteous wars in the West for the holy war in the East. He also hinted at the possibility of obtaining feudal fiefs, lands, wealth, power and prestige.
This speech of Pope Urban II at Clermont was one of the most influential speeches ever made. When he finished, his listeners shouted 'Deus Vult' (God wills it). This became the battle cry of the crusaders. Immediately, thousands pledged themselves to go on the Crusades.
Illustration of Pope Urban II in Cluny