1. Origins of the Crusades
The Crusades began with Pope Urban II’s impassioned plea at the Council of Clermont in 1095, urging Christians to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. His call sparked widespread religious enthusiasm, uniting nobles, peasants, and clergy under a divine mission. Contemporary accounts describe crowds responding with cries of “Deus vult!” (“God wills it!”), capturing the powerful religious fervor that drove participation. This pivotal moment set the stage for centuries of conflict.
