FRANCIA MEDIEVAL 4: Las Cruzadas Mayores - Templarios, el Gótico y el Císter (Documental Historia)

Medieval France and the Crusades: Felipe I and Gregory VII

The Rise of Felipe I (1060-1095)

• Felipe I ascended to the Frankish throne in 1060 as a young king under the regency of Duke Balduino V of Flanders during tumultuous feudal conflicts.

• His reign saw territorial expansion and notable achievements, including curing rare tumors known as scrofula, but he angered Pope Gregory VII.

Conflict with Pope Gregory VII

• Felipe's relationship with Bertrada de Monfort, wife of Count Fulco IV, led to his excommunication by Pope Gregory VII for adultery and bigamy after abducting her.

• Pope Gregory VII was a key figure in the Gregorian Reformation, aiming to eliminate church corruption like simony and uphold clerical celibacy.

Prelude to the Crusades

• The end of Felipe I's reign coincided with rising tensions between Christians and Muslims over control of the Holy Land following invasions by Arabs and Turkic peoples.

• The Byzantine Empire weakened after losing territory post-Battle of Manzikert (1070), prompting Emperor Alexius I to seek help from Western Christendom.

The First Crusade (1095-1099)

Call to Arms

• In 1095, Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont, rallying Christians under the banner "Deus Vult" (God wills it).

Initial Efforts

• Many impoverished peasants joined what became known as the "Crusade of the Poor," led by Peter the Hermit; they faced disorganization upon reaching Byzantium.

Organized Military Campaign

• Noble leaders like Geoffrey de Bouillon prepared more strategically for war, gathering around 35,000 crusaders motivated by both faith and personal gain.

Conquests Begin

• After initial successes against Turks at Dorilea, Baldwin’s arrival in Edessa marked significant Christian gains; he later became its king.

Siege of Antioch

Crusades and the Rise of Military Orders

The Siege of Jerusalem

• The Crusaders faced challenges in attacking Jerusalem's walls, equipped only with limited siege towers and catapults against a well-prepared enemy.

• Inspired by the Biblical story of Jericho, they marched around the city, leading to the arrival of Genoese troops who provided additional siege equipment.

• In July 1099, after nearly 500 years under Muslim rule, Jerusalem fell back into Christian hands; however, this victory was marred by subsequent massacres.

Establishment of Crusader States

• Following their conquest, the last battle led to Ashkelon's capture; Raymond IV founded the County of Tripoli two years later as part of four Crusader states established in the region.

Emergence of Military Orders (1100-1147)

• The Holy Land became increasingly dangerous for Christians, prompting monks to take up arms and form military orders.

• Notable among these was the Order of Hospitallers, which began as a hospital for pilgrims and evolved into a significant military order with its headquarters at Crac de los Caballeros.

Key Military Orders

• Godfrey de Bouillon founded the Order of the Holy Sepulcher in 1098 to protect sacred sites; notable members included Ramón Berenguer IV and Jaime I.

• The Order of Saint Lazarus focused on caring for lepers and other sick individuals in the Holy Land.

The Knights Templar

• Legends surround the origins of the Poor Knights of Christ (Templars), linked to discoveries beneath Solomon's Temple that may have included sacred relics like the Holy Grail or Ark of Covenant.

• King Baldwin II permitted them to reside in al-Aqsa mosque; their activities during this period remain largely mysterious but contributed significantly to their growing power.

Cultural Impact: Art and Architecture

• The Templars amassed wealth through various means, influencing Gothic architecture across Europe while also creating impressive castles such as Safed Castle.

Transition from Romanesque to Gothic Art

• With Capetian rule beginning in France during the 11th century, Romanesque art emerged as an international style influenced by pilgrimage routes connecting various regions.

Notable Architectural Developments

• Significant structures from this era include Mont-Saint Michel Abbey and Cluny III. By mid-twelfth century under Louis VI and VII’s reign, Gothic architecture began taking shape with Notre Dame Cathedral's construction starting around 1164.

Rise of Bourgeois Class

• As cities revived during this period, a new social class emerged—bourgeois merchants and artisans—who were neither feudal servants nor nobles but formed a middle class contributing to economic growth.

Educational Advancements

History of Universities and the Second Crusade

The Emergence of Universities

• The first universities were established in Western Europe, with Bologna in Italy (1088) being the earliest. Other notable institutions included Oxford, Paris (1150), Palencia, and Salamanca.

• These universities offered degrees in law, medicine, theology, and liberal arts that were recognized throughout the Christian world.

Context Leading to the Second Crusade

• In 1144, Zengi, the Seljuk governor of Mosul and Aleppo, captured Edessa leading to a massacre of its inhabitants. This prompted Queen Melisenda of Jerusalem to alert Pope Eugenio III about the situation.

• The capture of Edessa was a significant event that catalyzed the call for the Second Crusade.

Preaching and Participation in the Second Crusade

• Abbot Bernardo de Claraval led efforts to preach for the new crusade. He was known for reforming Benedictine rules and founded the Cistercian Order focused on austerity.

• His radical messages incited excitement among many but also led to violence against Jews in Germany during this period.

Challenges Faced During the Crusade

• The crusaders faced difficulties; German troops under Conrad III suffered losses due to ambushes while marching towards Iconium.

• King Louis VII of France joined forces with surviving German troops but encountered food shortages and continued ambushes as they approached Antioch.

Outcomes of the Second Crusade

• Upon reaching Antioch, tensions arose between Louis VII and his wife Eleanor due to familial connections with Prince Raymond.

• A meeting at Acre involved key leaders discussing strategies against Nur al-Din's forces; however, their decision to besiege Damascus resulted in failure as they were attacked from behind by reinforcements.

Political Changes Post-Crusades

Eleanor of Aquitaine's Marriages

• Eleanor divorced Louis VII in 1152 and married Henry Plantagenet (later King Henry II), which expanded English control over territories like Aquitaine.

Cultural Influence of Eleanor

• Despite her later cloistered life, Eleanor promoted courtly love traditions through her influence on troubadours and tournaments where knights competed for ladies' affections.

Rise of Philip II Augustus and Saladin

Political Landscape After Second Crusade

• Philip II Augustus succeeded Louis VII as king. His reign saw increased focus on consolidating power amidst threats from Muslim leaders like Saladin.

Saladin's Ascendancy

The Rise and Fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem

The Succession of Baldwin IV

• After Amalarico I's death, his son Baldwin IV ascended to the throne, notable for suffering from leprosy. His portrayal in "Kingdom of Heaven" includes a mask.

• Raymond III of Tripoli served as regent during Baldwin IV's reign. The Battle of Montgisard in 1177 was a significant Christian victory against Saladin.

Turmoil and Power Struggles

• Following the Battle of Seforia, many Christians were killed by Sultan's troops. Reinaldo de Chatillón emerged as a notorious figure, engaging in piracy and assaults on cities.

• Baldwin IV died in 1185, leading to his young son Baldwin V becoming king under Raymond III’s regency again.

The Prelude to War

• Queen Sibilla took charge after her son's sudden death; however, political tensions escalated with Reinaldo de Chatillón capturing a Syrian caravan.

• Saladin retaliated by attacking Tiberias in 1187. King Guido’s forces faced defeat at the Battle of Hattin due to exhaustion and poor positioning.

Consequences of Defeat

• Guido and Reinaldo were captured; while Guido was released, Reinaldo was executed. This led to the loss of significant Christian relics.

• Following their defeat, Acre fell to Saladin after intense fighting, marking the end of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem after nearly a century.

Aftermath and New Crusades

• Surviving Christians sought refuge in Tyre under Conrad de Monferrato while others returned to Europe to rally support for another crusade.

• In 1090, Hassan ibn Sabbah founded the Nizaris sect (Hashashin), known for targeting key figures like Saladin through assassination attempts.

The Third Crusade Begins

• Pope Gregory VIII called for the Third Crusade following Jerusalem's fall. Key leaders included Frederick Barbarossa, Philip II Augustus, and Richard I.

• Frederick drowned during transit; many soldiers succumbed to plague shortly thereafter. A makeshift hospital emerged near Acre that would lead to forming the Teutonic Knights.

Siege Warfare and Political Intrigue

• Richard I allied with Philip II but conflicts over leadership arose post-siege at San Juan de Acre where they successfully recaptured it.