Crusades

Definition

The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated and supported by Latin Church in the medieval period, with the stated goal of recovering the Holy Land from Islamic rule.

Related terms

Pope Urban II: He was Pope from 1088 until his death in 1099 who is best known for initiating the First Crusade.

Saladin: A Muslim military leader who led Islamic forces during the Crusades. He recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders.

Knights Templar: A Christian military order recognized in 1139 by papal bull Omne Datum Optimum of Pope Innocent II. They became a favored charity throughout Christendom and grew rapidly in membership and power during Middle Ages.