Read Pope Urban II’s Calling for a Crusade from 1096 CE
Name _______________________ Page ___
In about 1095 CE, the Byzantine emperor in Constantinople sent a message to the Pope Urban II in
Rome and asked the Pope to help the Byzantines against the Seljuq Turks. The Turks were a
Muslim group from Asia who had taken over part of the Byzantine Empire. Pope Urban urged his
people to go recover the land from the rule of the Muslims. Below you will find an account of his
speech that was written down by a man who was there and heard it. You and your partner should
each do a dramatic reading of the Pope’s words:
Although, O sons of God, you have promised more firmly than ever to keep
the peace among yourselves and to preserve the rights of the church, there
remains still an important work for you to do. For your brethren who live in
the east are in urgent need of your help. As the most of you have heard, the
Turks and Arabs have attacked them and have conquered the territory of
Romania. They have killed and captured many, and have destroyed the
churches and devastated the empire. If you permit them to continue, the
faithful of God will be much more widely attacked by them. On this account
I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ’s heralds to publish this
everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot-soldiers and
knights, poor and rich to carry aid promptly to those Christians to and
destroy the enemy from the lands of our friends. Moreover, Christ commands
it.
~ From Pope Urban 11
1. What type of document is this?
a. Newspaper
b. Personal letter
c. Speech
d. Diary
2. Which of these is not given as a reason for battle?
a. The Turks conquered Romania.
b. The Turks destroyed many churches and devastated the empire.
c. If not stopped, the Turks will destroy even more Christians.
d. The knights need to keep the peace between them.
3. Who are the “breather in the East?” from the underlined sentence above?
4. Whom did the Pope Urban II invite into this battle?
a. Only high class knights
b. People of any rank
5. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?
Because of the Crusades, Knights and Peasants might leave making the ones who remained even
more in demand and more powerful.
In the second part of his speech, Pope Urban II encouraged the people of
Europe to join the effort. You and your partner should each practice
reading aloud at least once.
All who die on the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the
pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through
the power of God that I am given. Let those who for a long time have been
robbers, now become knights. Let those who have been fighting against their
brothers and relatives now fight in a proper way against the barbarians. Let
those who have been serving as mercenaries for small pay now obtain the
eternal reward. Let those who have been wearing themselves out in both
body and soul now work for a double honor. Behold. On this side will be the
sorrowful and poor, on that the rich; on this side the enemies of the Lord, on
that his friends. Let those who go not put off the journey, but rent their lands
and collect money for their expenses; and as soon as winter is over and
spring comes, let him eagerly set out on the way with God as his guide.”
~ From Pope Urban 11
6. What does the underlined word “remission” most likely mean?
c. Repeating
b. Reminders
c. Removal
7. What does the Pope mostly want to happen based on this speech?
d. Many Christians to join the fight and go to battle.
e. Christians NOT to fight the Turks.
f. Christians to become rich.
g. Christians to die.
8. Which statement best summarizes this part of the speech?
h. Pope Urban was glad that knights had stopped fighting.
i. Christians should fight and would be rewarded with forgiveness and heaven.
9. The pope promised immediate remission for anyone who died while going on a crusade.
This meant they were guaranteed to go to Heaven no matter what they had done before.
What would you do if offered this promise?
10. If you were going on a long journey like a Crusade in the Middle Ages, what things would
you bring. Make a list of at least five things you would carry your whole journey?
What would Pope Urban II think of the effect of the Crusades on Europe and what do
you think?
The Crusades opened the door for the cultural diffusion of ideas and goods into Europe, either
through directly being brought back by Crusaders, or indirectly through trade with both the
European Kingdoms and the Byzantine Empire. After the Crusades, Europe was forever changed.
Read each effect and think about it; then answer the questions at the end.
1. Many European feudal lords died cause they went to fight in the Crusades.
2. Nationalism began, especially in England, France, Germany, and Italy.
3. Kings led the Crusades and people began to show more loyalty to the kings than to
their old feudal lords.
4. Nationalism and “nations” began to develop instead of small feudal manors.
5. Alliances were formed of former rival nations of France and England while they
fought the common Muslim enemies.
6. The Pope and church grew in power.
7. Kings gained power by consolidating the nobles under them.
8. Towns grew as serfs bought their freedom by serving in the Crusades and bringing
back wealth.
9. Towns were granted charters in the king's and lord’s absence.
10. Town merchants benefited from increased trade and loaned money.
11. Geographic knowledge increased through travel of Crusaders and map acquisition.
12. Coined money increased in use instead of barter on the manor.
13. Heraldic emblems (these are like family coat of arms) were copied from the
Muslims.
14. Trade increased as European ports were opened in the Middle East.
15. Shipbuilding and navigational skills increased in order to move goods and people
from Europe to the Middle East.
16. Codes for sea behavior were instituted.
17. University concept was introduced to Europe from the Middle East and
strengthened based on Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba universities.
18. The gold standard was established in Europe for using money.
19. National taxes, not just feudal, were established. People started paying taxes
directly to the king to cover “war” costs for their nation.
20. Concentric castle designs were introduced to architecture for better defense.
21. Tree grafting was introduced to agriculture.
22. Jews in Europe (and in the east) face even more prejudice and destruction.
23. Military knowledge increased; Supreme commander concept, sapping, mining
techniques – all learned from the Muslims during the Crusades.
24. The cotton papermaking process replaced importing parchment; the amount of
writing increase.
25. The handkerchief was introduced to Europe from the Middle East.
26. Literature imported Sinbad the Sailor, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin
27. Art: mosaics, stained glass windows, figured brocades, ecclesiastical art came from
the Middle East to Europe
28. Music: the guitar and the violin introduced to Europe.
29. Mathematics: Arabic numbers, decimals and spherical trigonometry, algebra, sine
and tangent all introduced to Europe.
30. Science: physics and astronomy, the pendulum, optics and the telescopes – all
introduced to Europe through these wars.
31. Herbs and spices: cinnamon, cloves, mace, nutmeg, saffron, and pepper brought to
Europe.
32. Food: sugar cane and syrup, lemons, apricots, plums, dates, rhubarb, almonds,
shallots, and watermelons brought to Europe.
33. Clothing materials: silk, linen, cotton, and velvet brought to Europe.
34. Precious goods: pearls and ivory brought to Europe
35. Cosmetics: rouge, henna, glass mirrors brought from the Middle East to Europe
36. New Arabic words blend into the European vocabulary including words we all use
today such as: cotton, sofa, mattress, barracks, magazine, arsenal, admiral, tariff,
algebra, alcove, crimson, lilac, azure
1. Which effect(s) are confusing?
2. What two effects did you find to be the most interesting? Why?
3. Which of these effects do you consider to be the most far reaching in its implication?
Why?
4. Finish this sentence:
If Pope Urban could have foreseen how the Crusades would have impacted Christians in
Europe he …
5. Use the rest of the time to sort the effects into categories. For example, you might have
a list of the new goods to Europe and on that list you might place #33: Cosmetics to
Europe such as henna, rouge, glass mirrors.
For your
brethren who
live in the east
are in urgent
need of your
help!
-Pope Urban II
1095 CE