1119-47: Second Crusade Causes and Beginnings

Question 1

Which Papal Bull called for the Second Crusade? When was it issued? Who by?

Answer 1

Quantum Praedecessores
1st Dec 1145
Eugenius III

Question 2

What concerned many German barons before the Second Crusade? How was this combatted? What was this called?

Answer 2

presence of Slavic people living on Elbe river
Bernard of Clairvaux convinces Eugenius III to approve attack
Wendish Crusade

Question 3

Where else did Eugenius III approve crusading? Who against?

Answer 3

Spain - Muslim Almeria
Germany - Slavic tribes

Question 4

What were the causes for the Second Crusade?

Answer 4

• respond to fall of Edessa & strengthen Outremer (Dec 1144) [QP]
• reestablish papal authority (Eugenius didn’t control Rome)
• religious motivation, pilgrimage and remission of sins (esp. Kings) [QP]

Question 5

Which Kings took the cross? Why?

Answer 5

Louis VII of France - pilgrimage, Phillip (bro.) died before fulfilling oath
Conrad III of Germany - responded to Bernard’s campaigning

Question 6

Who did Eugenius III recruit to gather people for the Second Crusade? Where did he tour? For how long?

Answer 6

Bernard of Clairvaux
Low Countries & Rhineland
7 months

Question 7

What was the response to Eugenius’ call for the Second Crusade? When was it reissued? How did Eugenius combat this?

Answer 7

poor reception
1st Mar 1146
recruit Bernard of Clairvaux

Question 8

What was the response to Bernard of Clairvaux’s campaign of recruitment? When? Who did he convince to take the cross?

Answer 8

positive reception
spring 1146
Conrad III

Question 9

How did Bernard of Clairvaux refer to the generation of Second Crusaders? What did he focus on for recruitment? Where was an especially successful speech? When?

Answer 9

“lucky generation”
remission of sins & pressure to emulate success of First Crusade
Vezelay
31st Mar 1146

Question 10

When was the fall of Edessa? Who did it fall to? Why was it lost? What technique was used to enter the city?

Answer 10

24th Dec 1144
Zengi (of Mosul/Aleppo)
Joscelin II living in Turbessel instead of defending Edessa
sapping (tunnelling under walls)

Question 11

How did social pressures motivate people to go on the Second Crusade?

Answer 11

• Eugenius hints that not crusading makes knights lesser than their fathers, who were regarded as heroes after First Crusade
• pressure to protect Holy lands and recapture Christendom
• presence of Kings puts pressure on nobles and their knights etc. (feudal ties)

Question 12

Where did Joscelin II temporarily regain? When? When was it lost again? Who to?

Answer 12

Edessa
1146
a few days later
Nur ad-Din