Pope Urban II and the First Crusade

Pope Urban II and the First Crusade

Pope Urban II and his influence in developing and promoting the First Crusade in the 11th century

Christianity during the Middle Ages has been characterized by numerous conflicts that focus on the struggle for religious and political dominance, particularly in Europe and other Western societies. Of particular interest in the study of the history of the Christian religion are the events that surround European civilization between the 8th- 11th centuries. During these periods, Christianity experienced several movements that changed the social, political, and economic landscape of the European society and the Christian community in general.

One individual that played a significant role in propelling the Christian community into the socio-political movements of Europe during these periods is Pope Urban II, the religious leader of the Christians during the 11th century. He became known for his active role in inciting to his fellow Christians the emergence of the First Crusade, a holy war waged against the Moslem forces that invaded Jerusalem during that time. His role as the supreme leader of the Western religious community and his active participation as the leader of the Crusaders will be the focus of this research paper. This paper will discuss in particular Urban II's speech in Clermont, France in November 27, 1095, the day the First Crusade was declared. Urban II's speech will be analyzed and related to the study of the social, political, and economic conditions of Europe during the 11th century. This analysis will help explain why Urban II's speech and leadership became influential and popular, leading to the emergence of the Crusades, a string of events that established Christian religious dominance all over Europe and all parts of the world.

In discussing and explaining Urban II's appeal and influence to the Christian community and the success of his First Crusade campaign, it is important to study the social movements that are taking place in Europe during that particular time. From the 9th to 11th centuries, Europe is dominated by Christianity not only as a religious institution, but also as a social community. The dominance of Christian ideology during these periods show how influential Christian leaders are in transforming the norms and rules imposed upon the society. Christian culture prevailed, and one of the most evident illustrations of this prevalence is the emergence of a conservative and rigid European society, dictated by the moralistic norms and standards of the Church and State.

Evidences of the Church's social dominance are the implementation of social rules and norms that forbids practice of adultery, simony, and clerical marriage. Urban II, as the head of the Cluniac reform movement during his term as Pope of the Christian community, implemented decrees that forbid the practice of these 'social taboos.' One example of the influence and power of Urban II was his declaration of King Philip of France's excommunication from the Christian community because he committed adultery. This shows that Christian leaders often cross the boundaries between being religious leaders and practitioners and as political leaders, implementing and formulating legal rules that are often moralistic and religious in standards.

Another factor that has influenced Pope Urban II's appeal to the masses is the overlapping role that social and political events have played in shaping European society and history. One of Urban II's effective appeals in his speech in Clermont was his description of the barbaric acts of Moslems against Christians in Jerusalem: "From the confines of Jerusalem and the city of Constantinople a horrible tale has gone forth and very frequently has been brought to our ears ... They destroy the altars, after having defiled them with their uncleanness. They circumcise the Christians, and the blood of the circumcision they either spread upon the altars or pour into the vases of the baptismal font ... " Urban's narrative description of the atrocities of the Moslems against Christians is one of his propagandistic appeals that he used to convince people to participate in the "holy war" against the Moslems. This shows how Christianity deals with opposing forces that tries to compete with the Christian Church in assuming the role as the dominant religious organization in the world. The socio-political landscape of European society also illustrates that there is centralization of religious and state leadership in the Pope's position, which becomes evident when Alexius I, the Byzantine Emperor, sought Urban II's help in fighting and preventing the Moslem invasion in his kingdom.