Sources of evidence about motives for joining and fighting in the First Crusade
Whoever for devotion alone, not to gain honour or money, goes to Jerusalem to liberate
the Church of God can substitute this journey for all penance.
Canon of the Council of Claremont, 1095
Foremost in the minds of all was only the ambition for a holy death for the love of God…No
one could have hoped in our time – he would have ridiculed had he said it – that God
would place such a contempt for material things in the hearts of savage and greedy men.
From an account by Guibert of Nogent.
Considering that God has spared me, steeped in many and great sins, and has given me
time for penance, and fearing that the weight of my sins will deprive me of a share in the
heavenly kingdom, I Inglebald, wish to seek that sepulchre from which our redemption,
having overcome death, wished to rise.
Crusader charter of c.1096 (Riley-Smith, First Crusade)
Anyone who wants to be free from the sins which prevent his soul from flying up to
heaven, must look to end his sins before they abandon him. And so I, Nivelo, a noble by
birth but not noble by nature, for the redemption of my soul and in exchange of a great
sum of money given to me for this, renounce my bad deeds for ever in favour of St Peter.
Following the example set by my father I ruled my lands in a tyrannical way. Whenever
the onset of knightly ferocity stirred me up I would descend into the villages, taking with me
a troop of knights and seize by force goods and food for my men from the poor villagers.
And so, in order to obtain the pardon which God can give me for my crimes, I am going on
a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The monks have given me 10 pounds towards the journey in
return for me giving up my oppression of the villages. The monks have given me three
pounds to my sister, in return for her consent for my journey. If any of my descendants
break this promise may they be transfixed by the thunderbolt of hatred and be placed in
the fires of hell to be tormented endlessly.
Crusader charter of c.1096 (Riley-Smith, First Crusade)
Frequently Tancred burned with anxiety because the warfare he engaged in as a knight
seemed to be different to the Lords commands. The Lord, in fact, ordered him to offer the
cheek that had been struck together with his other cheek to the striker; but secular
knighthood did not spare the blood of relatives. The Lord urged Tancred to give away his
tunic and his cloak as well to the man who would take them away; the needs of war drove
him to take from a man already ruined. And so, if ever that wise man could give himself up
to response, these contradictions deprived Tancred of courage. But after the judgement of
Pope Urban granted remission of all their sins to all Christians going out to fight the
infidels, then at last, as if previously asleep, Tancred’s vigour was aroused, his powers
grew, his eyes opened, his courage was born. For before…his mind was divided,
uncertain whether to follow in the footsteps of the Gospel or the world.
Ralph of Caen, The Deeds of Tancred, a narrative of the First Crusade written in the
mid-1100s (Riley-Smith, First Crusade)
Anslem of Ribemont died gloriously at the siege of ‘Arqah on the 25 February 1099.
Arising one morning, he summoned priests to him, confessed his omissions and sins,
invoked God’s mercy and told them the imminence of his death. While they stood shocked
by the news since they saw Anslem hale and hearty, he explained: “Don’t be astonished;
listen to me. Last night I saw Lord Engelrand of Saint Paul , who lost his life at Ma’arratan-Nu’man, and I, fully conscious inquired, ‘What goes here? You are dead, and behold
now you are alive.’ Lord Engelrand replied, ‘Those who die in Christ’s service never die.’
Again I interrogated him, this time asking about why he looked so beautiful, and he
answered, ‘It is not astonishing since I live in a beautiful home.’ Immediately, he showed
me a home in heaven so beautiful that I could think of nothing equal to it. While I stood
shocked at the sight, Lord Engelrand said, ‘A much more beautiful home is in preparation
for you tomorrow,’ and with that he ascended to heaven.” Anslem went to fight the
Saracens and fought courageously, but was hit on the head by a rock from a catapult. So
he left this world to dwell in his heavenly home prepared for him by God.
From an account by Raymond of Aguilers
Rouse yourselves, members of Christ’s household! Rouse yourselves, knights and foot
soldiers, and seize the city of Jerusalem. Give heed to Christ, who today is banished from
that city and is crucified, take him down from the cross; and forcefully take Christ away
from these wicked crucifiers. For every time these wicked people make sport of, and
enslave your brothers, they crucify Christ. Every time they torment them and kill them they
lance Christ’s side. Indeed they do all these things and, what is worse, they ridicule and
cast criticism on Christ and our law with foolish speech. What are you doing about these
things? Is it right for you to listen to these things, to see these things dome and not to
grieve for them? I address fathers and sons and brothers and nephews. If an outsider
were to strike any of your kin down would you not avenge your blood-relative? How much
more ought you to avenge your God, your father, your brother, whom you see reproached,
banished from his estates, crucified; whom you hear calling, forlorn, and begging for aid.
Sermon reported to have been preached before the walls of Jerusalem in the
summer of 1099
TASK

Read through these sources carefully.

Underline reasons why/motives for people going on and participating in the First
Crusade.

Discuss the reasons with a partner and try to sort the reasons into thematic
categories.

Which motive seems to be the most important/most reoccurring?

Draft your own version of a Crusader Charter