KQ5: What were main factors of failure for 2nd Crusade?

• Anti-Semitism

  against the jews
• Cistercian

  a catholic order of monks
• Emir

  a title given to a Muslim ruler
• Expedition

  a journey taken by a group of people in war
• Papal Bull


  a public decree issued by the Pope
• Retreat 


  to move back or withdraw from battle
• Causes of the Second Crusade:

  • Threat from Muslims increased under Zengi.
  • Defeat of Count Baldwin II of Edessa by Zengi in 1129.
  • Zengi besieged Edessa in 1144 after death of King Fulk of Jerusalem.
  • Edessa fell due to poor governance and lack of aid from Antioch.
• Role of Zengi:

  • Became Emir of Mosul.
  • Defeated Count Baldwin II outside Damascus.
  • Seized opportunity to besiege Edessa.
  • Exploited poor relations between Edessa and Antioch.
• Pope Eugenius III:

  • Proclaimed the Second Crusade in 1145.
  • Response to fall of Edessa.
  • Papal Bull: Quantum Predecessores.
• Bernard of Clairvaux:

  • French Cistercian abbot and reformer.
  • Played crucial role in securing support for Second Crusade.
  • Enormous religious prestige.
• Contribution:

  • Enthusiastically championed the cause.
  • Added momentum to crusade.
• Papal Bull Reissue:

  • King Louis VII's contemplation of pilgrimage persuaded Eugenius to reissue papal bull in March 1146.
• Permission to Preach:

  • Bernard given permission to preach the call to crusade.
  • Most important speech at council in Vezelay in March 1146.
• Impact of Bernard's Speech:

  Speech at Vezelay had desired effect
• King Louis of France:

  • Responded to Bernard's speech by placing himself before the Abbot.
  • Pope's cross attached to Louis' cloak.
  • Dramatic effect on Louis' wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and others.
• Recruitment for Crusade:

  Underway after Louis' commitment
• Bernard's Tour

  • Traveled through Lorraine, Flanders, and Germany.
  • Aimed to ensure success of crusade.
• Impact in Germany:

  • Outbreak of anti-Semitism initially.
  • Later turned into mini crusade against Slavonic pagans.
• King Conrad of Germany:

  • Agreed to join Louis in expedition to Holy Land after hearing Bernard preach at Speyer in 1146.
• Issues Faced by Crusade:

  • Cooperation between forces proved difficult.
  • Louis and Conrad not considered true crusaders.
  • Decision to take Queen Eleanor proved disastrous.
• Failed Attempt to Retake Edessa:

  • Against forces under Zengi's successor, Nul ad-Din.
  • Muslim forces more accustomed to tactics of Western knights.
• Lack of Byzantine Support:

  • Unlike First Crusade, Byzantine support was lacking.
• Byzantine Empire:

  • Emperor Manuel concluded peace agreement with Turks in 1147, viewed as treachery by crusaders.
  • Norman knights of Sicily under Roger II refused to participate, weakening the force.
• Land Route Through Byzantium:

  • German and French forces planned to take land route through Byzantine Empire.
  • Intention was to meet up in Constantinople.
• Reception in Byzantium:

  • German army reached Byzantium first, encountered frosty reception from Emperor Manuel.
  • Byzantine troops sent amid fear of attack from Germans.
  • Regular skirmishes between forces ensued.
• Flood and Arrival in Constantinople:

  • Severe flood resulted in deaths among German army.
  • Despite Manuel's requests, Germans reached Constantinople in September.
• Mistake by King Conrad:

  • After quarrel with Emperor Manuel, Conrad decided not to wait for French forces.
  • Split his army and proceeded to Asia Minor alone.
• Disaster at Dorylaeum:

  • German army attacked by Seljuk scouts while resting.
  • Resulted in defeat and massacre, with estimates of up to 18,000 killed or wounded out of 20,000.
• Consequences

  • Conrad escaped with remainder of army.
  • Army finished as fighting force.
  • Began slow retreat to Constantinople.
• Mistakes by King Louis:

  • Took coast road, believing army would be safe in Byzantine territory, but regularly attacked by Seljuk forces.
  • Conrad fell seriously ill, forced to return to Constantinople.
  • French pushed inland, often attacked by Seljuk forces, until reaching Antalya.
  • Lack of Byzantine support due to invasion by Roger II of Sicily.
  • Weakness of army meant no major offensive possible.
• Disagreement at Antioch:

  • Raymond of Poitiers wanted attack on Aleppo, gateway to Edessa.
  • Louis wanted to finish pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
  • Eleanor threatened to divorce Louis if military aspect not fulfilled.
  • Louis arrested Eleanor and set out for Jerusalem.
• Assembly at Jerusalem:

  • Crusaders assembled at Jerusalem, joined by recovered Conrad and German troops.
• Failure at Damascus

  • Decision to attack Damascus made at Council of Acre in June 1148.
  • Damascus threatened by Nur ad-Din, son of Zengi.
  • Muslims prepared for attack, resulting in disaster.
  • Suffered numerous attacks from Muslim forces.
  • Lacked support from local crusader lords.
  • Louis and Conrad decided upon retreat, ending Second Crusade.
• Impact of Second Crusade Failure:

  • Weakened Christian cause, strengthened Muslim world.
  • Increased hostility between West and crusading states.
  • Idea of betrayal by Byzantines.
  • Weakened German and French monarchies.
  • Damaged crusaders' military reputation.
  • Enthusiasm for further crusades diminished.
  • Europe focused more on internal politics for forty years.