28. The Crusades, Part I

In 1095 Pope Urban II - whose real name was Odo of Chatillon - gave a rousing speech at Clermont in France. He promised forgiveness and pardon for all of the past sins of those who would fight to reclaim the holy land from Muslims and free the eastern churches. So began the crusades - the wars between Christendom and Islam for the Holy Lands in the Levant and by Western Christians against pagan and Orthodox communities in  North and Eastern Europe for several centuries from 1096. What were the crusades and how did they give brith to modern European nations? What made the crusaders and their opponents believe faith justified violence, that they fought a just war, a holy war, a jihad?

Details of all references used in the show are at www.theburningarchive.com

Credits: The Crusader song, Palästinalied