Latin West Flashcards
(10 cards)
What were the military and religious strengths of the Latin West between 1071–1095?
• 1071 – Bari captured by Normans under Robert Guiscard, ending Byzantine rule in Italy.
• 1072 – Palermo taken by Roger I of Sicily, expanding Latin control in the Mediterranean.
• 1085 – Toledo seized by Alfonso VI of Castile from Muslims—major Reconquista victory.
• 1075–1085 – Gregorian Reforms and Dictatus Papae strengthen papal control.
• 1095 – Council of Clermont (Nov): Pope Urban II calls First Crusade.
• Calls knights to become milites Christi (soldiers of Christ) and promises remission of sins.
What were the weaknesses of the Latin West between 1071–1095?
• 1070s–1080s – Christian disunity:
• El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz) fought for both Christians and Muslims in Spain.
• 1075–1122 – Investiture Conflict:
• Weakened papal authority and obstructed unified military leadership.
• Lack of eastern strategy until Byzantine plea in 1095.
What were the strengths of the Latin West during the First Crusade and early Outremer (1096–1124)?
• 1096–1099 – First Crusade:
• Led by Godfrey of Bouillon, Raymond IV, Bohemond, Robert of Normandy, Stephen of Blois.
• Capture of Nicaea (1097), Antioch (1098), Jerusalem (1099).
• 1104 – Genoa helps capture Acre (April).
• 1109 – Tripoli taken by Bertrand of Toulouse (Raymond IV’s nephew).
• 1113 – Hospitallers recognized by Pope Paschal II.
• 1119 – Templars founded by Hugh of Payns to protect pilgrims.
What were the weaknesses of the Latin West during 1096–1124?
• 1096 – People’s Crusade under Peter the Hermit destroyed by Kilij Arslan.
• 1101 Crusade: Led by William of Nevers, Hugh of Vermandois, Welf I of Bavaria—ends in disaster in Anatolia.
• High casualty rate—few stay to defend Outremer.
• Heavy dependency on Italian fleets: Pisa, Genoa, Venice gain trading privileges, weakening Frankish autonomy.
• 1119 – Battle of the Field of Blood: Roger of Salerno and Antiochene army annihilated.
What were the Latin West’s strengths from 1125–1149?
• 1129 – Fulk of Anjou marries Melisende, becomes King of Jerusalem (1131–1143)—strengthens dynastic links.
• 1147 – Second Crusade launched after Edessa’s fall (1144).
• Led by King Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany.
• Reinforcements arrive from England, Flanders, and Aquitaine (1147–1149).
What were the Latin West’s weaknesses from 1125–1149?
• 1148 – Siege of Damascus fails due to poor coordination.
• Louis VII, Conrad III, Eleanor of Aquitaine return in failure.
• Edessa not recovered; Antioch not supported.
• Raymond of Poitiers ignored by Louis VII—worsens Crusader divisions.
• Growing perception in Europe of Frankish moral decay.
• No major Western aid follows for decades.
What were the strengths of the Latin West between 1150–1187?
• 1153 – Ascalon captured by Baldwin III with Western assistance.
• 1163–1170s – Knights from Champagne, England, Provence travel to Outremer.
• 1177 – Battle of Montgisard: Baldwin IV (the Leper King) defeats Saladin with only 375 knights, aided by Templars and pilgrims.
• 1187 – Audita tremendi issued by Pope Gregory VIII, calling for Third Crusade.
What were the weaknesses of the Latin West between 1150–1187?
• 1169 – Failed invasion of Egypt by Amalric I and William of Sicily.
• Western monarchs divided:
• Henry II of England and Louis VII of France fail to cooperate.
• 1185–1187 – Western inaction despite Saladin’s growing threat.
• 1187 – Battle of Hattin: Guy of Lusignan crushed; Outremer devastated.
What were the strengths of the Latin West between 1189–1204?
• 1189–1191 – Siege of Acre: Led by Richard I of England, Philip II of France, Leopold V of Austria—successful outcome.
• 1192 – Treaty of Jaffa:
• Richard I secures corridor from Tyre to Jaffa.
• Grants Christian access to Jerusalem.
• Military Orders expand: Hospitallers and Templars hold key castles like Krak des Chevaliers and Margat.
What were the weaknesses of the Latin West between 1189–1204?
• 1191 – Philip II returns to France after quarrels with Richard I.
• 1192 – Richard I also leaves—no inland conquests secured.
• 1198 – Pope Innocent III launches Fourth Crusade to retake Jerusalem.
• 1204 – Sack of Constantinople:
• Led by Boniface of Montferrat and Enrico Dandolo.
• Crusaders attack Orthodox Christians, not Muslims.
• Huge disgrace; Christendom weakened.
• Ends East–West Christian cooperation.
