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

Cards (34)

  • 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.