West Meets East: The Crusades PDF

# West Meets East ## The Crusades - While medieval Europe was known as Christendom, the area where Jesus Christ had lived in belonged to the Muslims who followed the teachings of The Last Holy Rasool Hazrat Muhammad. - Until the eleventh century AD, the Muslims allowed pilgrims to travel to Jerusa...

# West Meets East ## The Crusades - While medieval Europe was known as Christendom, the area where Jesus Christ had lived in belonged to the Muslims who followed the teachings of The Last Holy Rasool Hazrat Muhammad. - Until the eleventh century AD, the Muslims allowed pilgrims to travel to Jerusalem to see where Jesus Christ had preached. - But in 1095, this area was taken over by Turkish Muslims who refused to let Christian pilgrims visit Jerusalem anymore. - In 1095, Pope Urban II urged the people of Christendom to embark upon a crusade, or war of the cross, against the Muslims to regain the land for Christianity. - The First Crusade was successful in recapturing Jerusalem and setting up a Christian Holy Land, but these new Christian kingdoms proved difficult to defend against the Muslims. - Over the next 200 years, there were several more crusades; Not all of them were successful. - By 1291, when Acre (the last Christian city in the Holy Land) was recaptured by the Muslims, the medieval people of Europe were forced to accept the medieval people of Europe were forced to accept the fact the Holy Land would remain a Muslim country. ## Nur al-Din Zangi - Nur al-Din Zangi (1118-1174) was one of the most prominent figures in Crusade history. - He was a Muslim ruler who reorganised the armies of Syria and laid the foundations for the success of Saladin. - He succeeded his father as the ruler of Aleppo (a city in Syria) in 1146AD. - Before his rule, a major reason for the success of the Crusaders was the disunity of the Muslim rulers of the region, who were unable to present a unified military front against the invaders. - It was Nur al-Din's dream to unite the various Muslim forces between the Euphrates and the Nile to make a common front against the Crusaders. - Therefore, he waged military campaigns against the Crusaders in an attempt to expel them from Syria and Palestine. - He was also noted for piety and personal bravery. - He always used the booty to build numerous mosques, schools and hospitals. ## Saladin: The Hero of The Muslim World - Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub (also known as Saladin) played a significant role in the Crusades, particularly during the Third Crusade (1189-1192). - Saladin was a Muslim military leader and the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, known for his chivalry, military prowess and strategic wisdom. - One of Saladin's most notable achievements was the capture of Jerusalem in 1187. - His forces defeated the Crusader army at the Battle of Hattin, leading to the fall of Jerusalem into Muslim hands. - After capturing Jerusalem, he demonstrated tolerance and respect for the defeated Christians. - He allowed safe passage for civilians and granted amnesty to those who chose to leave peacefully. - This event prompted the European leaders to respond with the Third Crusade. - The fall of Jerusalem led to the launch of the Third Crusade by European leaders such as Richard the Lionheart of England, Philip II of France and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I. - Saladin faced formidable opponents in Richard and the other Crusader leaders. - Saladin and Richard engaged in a series of military campaigns during the Third Crusade. - Notable battles included the Siege of Acre (1189-1191) and the Battle of Arsuf (1191). - While Saladin was successful in some engagements, the Crusaders also achieved victories. - The conflict eventually led to a stalemate, and both sides were exhausted. - In 1192, a truce was negotiated between Saladin and Richard the Lionheart, leading to the Treaty of Jaffa. - According to the treaty, Jerusalem remained under Muslim control, but Christian pilgrims were granted access to the city. - Salah al-Din Ayyubi's leadership during the Crusades is often remembered for his military achievements, his adherence to chivalry and his ability to negotiate diplomatic solutions. - He became a symbol of Muslim resistance against the Crusaders. - His legacy is celebrated in both Western and Islamic historical narratives. ## Richard the Lionheart - The Third Crusade was led by the kings of France and England and the German emperor. - The aim was to take back Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the 'infidels' led by Saladin. - The hero of these three Christian monarchs was the charismatic King of England, Richard I, who was called 'the Lionheart' because of his courage and bravery. - When the news reached Europe that Jerusalem had fallen, Richard was quick to take up the challenge of a crusade. - Historians speculate he had three main reasons for taking up this challenge: to have an adventure of war, to be immortalised by the bards and troubadours of the time, and to ensure his place in heaven. - The German emperor, Frederick, was driven way across Europe to join the Crusade. - The King of France went home after quarrelling with Richard. - Richard was left to lead the Crusade on his own. - His clever battle tactics and strategies enabled him to successfully end the siege of Acre, but with his allies, he was unable to continue to Jerusalem and was forced to return home. - Despite being miles from the holy city. - He vowed never to campaign on Jerusalem as he believed that God had ordained that he should not be the one to conquer Jerusalem. ## Summary of The Crusades | Crusades | Time period (AD) | Contenders | Outcomes | |---|---|---|---| | 1st Crusade | 1096 - 1099 | Crusaders came from different Western regions on the call of Pope Urban II. <br> Muslim Seljuk Turks. | Crusaders won many battles and occupied the Holy Land. | | 2nd Crusade | 1147 - 1149 | European Kings, The Louis VII and Conrad III. <br> Muslim were led by Seljuk General Nur al-Din Zangi. | The Muslims won control of the Holy Lands. | | 3rd Crusade | 1189 - 1192 | King Frederick. <br> King Philip Augustus of France <br> King Richard I of England. <br> Muslims side included Nur al-Din Zangi's forces led by his military General Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub. | Third Crusade resulted in a truce that left Jerusalem under Muslim dominion but allowed Christian pilgrims access for trading and pilgrimage. | | 4th Crusade | 1202 - 1204 | Pope Innocent-III <br> Ayyubi Sultans | Crusaders captured Constantinople and divided Byzantine among themselves. <br> The Byzantine empire was weakened due to power struggle between European and Byzantine emperors. | | 5th Crusade | 1208 - 1289 | Pope Innocent III. <br> King Fredrick II of Prussia (Germany) <br> King Louis IX of France. <br> King Edward I of England. <br> Mamluke | Crusaders were defeated by Mamluks. <br> The Crusaders' state in the East also fell in 1291. | ## Pact of The Crusades - At the end of the 14th century, the medieval feudal system, that had worked so well for William the Conqueror and other rulers was no longer a force because: - Knights became stronger and more powerful because so many knights and plemen were killed on crusades. - Countries as we know them today began to be united. - Those who had been on crusade gained a new "status quo" on their return. ## Islamic Contribution to Medieval Europe - From the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries, Europe absorbed knowledge from the highly civilised Islamic world. - European scholars not only found new and practical ideas but rediscovered the classical learning of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. - Following the fall of the Roman Empire, many texts from the ancient scholars and philosophers were lost to the Europeans. - But many of these texts had been translated from Greek into Arabic and preserved in Muslim centres of learning. - From Latin translations that many of these texts reached Medieval Europe. - In the tenth century, Islamic Cordoba in Spain was the largest and most sophisticated city in Western Europe. - Every major Islamic city in medieval times had an extensive library, in Cordoba and Baghdad (the libraries claimed to have over 400,000 books). - Islam did more than just preserve ancient knowledge; it also interpreted and expanded on that knowledge, and made vital contributions of its own in many areas, including science, astronomy, the position of the stars and the planets. - This enabled them to find their position on the sea in terms of latitude. - It could be used to tell time during the day or night, to find the time of sunrise and sunset, and thus, the length of the day. - Islam also introduced a system of public hospitals in which hygiene, diagnosis, cure and preventative medicine were practiced. - Damascus was the site of the first Islamic hospital in 707 AD and most major Islamic cities soon followed the example of Damascus and set up hospitals of their own. - These hospitals were open all day and night and were free. - Muslim doctors practiced surgery and developed surgical instruments, many of which were similar to those used today, such as forceps, scalpels and fine scissors for eye surgery. - These new medical practices began to filter through to medieval European doctors during the time of the Crusades. ## The First Universities - In the Middle Ages, most education was tied to the Church and some monasteries became great centres of scholarship and influence. - However, other kinds of learning were available for a minority, away from the monasteries. - Very wealthy families could hire private tutors, and students could be taught by masters who moved from city to city. - In the last part of the twelfth century, these masters and their students joined together to establish independent schools in major cities. - As students reached certain levels and passed exams, they were awarded titles such as Master or Doctor. - Universities were set up in Paris in France and in Bologna in Italy before 1200. - Other universities soon followed. - Very early in their history, features of universities emerged that can still be seen today, such as lectures, degrees, students, academics and examinations. - It appears that student life at a medieval university had similarities with the modern university experience. - Finances were a problem for students then as they are now and letters from parents to sons at university have the familiar complaints of inappropriate behavior, excessive drinking and lack of effort. ## Time to Think - **Relationships between Religion, Rulers and People in Medieval Society** - What was the relationship between these three groups? - How did this change as the centuries passed? - What differences and similarities are there between these three groups in our society today compared with the Middle Ages? - **Scholarship and Art** - How well did scholarship and learning continue throughout the Middle Ages? - How did the art and architecture of the Middle Ages reflect the spiritual life and learning of the people? - How has today's society benefitted from the arts and learning of the Middle Ages? - **Evidence** - There are a lot of primary sources in this chapter. - How accurate a picture of life in the Middle Ages do they give? - **Historical Significance and Heritage** - What do you think are the most significant events of the Middle Ages? - What do you think has been the legacy of the Middle Ages for us today? ## Inquiry ### Tasks 1. **Life in the Middle Ages - developing a film project** - Imagine you have just graduated from film school and you are applying for a grant to produce and direct a film using the idea of a modern-day person traveling back in time to the Middle Ages and viewing that time from a modern perspective. - Your film will depict medieval life through the eyes of your character. - You need to write a grant application that must include: - An outline of the characters (major and minor), plot, setting (when and where) and themes (the point of the story you are trying to tell) - Script for three short scenes, one near the beginning, one near the middle and one near the end of the film. - Make sure that you include dialogue, directions for the actors and a storyboard (a cartoon strip of the plot that directors use when filming the day's scenes). 2. **The Islamic world: more than just the Crusades - a TV discussion** - You and two other students have been asked to prepare a current affairs-style discussion on the extent to which medieval Europe was influenced by the learning and knowledge of the Islamic Empire. - As a team, conduct further research on the advances made by Muslim scientists, mathematicians and doctors. - One person will take on the role of moderator, guiding the discussion. - One person will discuss major Islamic contributions to science and other learning. - The third person will follow these inventions through to modern times and discuss how they may still influence lives today. 3. **The Knightly Code - preparing a 'how to' manual** - Your task is to prepare a 'how to' manual for aspiring knights. - In your manual include: - The steps to becoming a knight - A knight's equipment (armour and other accoutrements, or accessories) - A description of courtly love - How to design a coat of arms, following the rules of the College of Arms - Annotated illustrations. 4. **Medieval Universities** - The earliest universities in Europe were founded in Italy (in Salerno during the ninth century AD and in Bologna during the eleventh century). - Not long after this, universities were founded in France and England (in Paris in the mid-twelfth century and in Oxford not long after). - As a student of history, you are looking at furthering your studies at one of these prestigious universities that has a medieval history but you need to convince your parents of the historical prestige of your choice. - Conduct some research into one of the above-mentioned universities and create an AVD or electronic slide presentation for your parents to persuade them to send you to the university. - Perform your oral presentation to your class. - Remember, the key criterion is the medieval pedigree of your choice ## Key inquiry Questions - How did society develop during the Umayyad Caliphate? - What were some of the significant events and key aspects of the Islamic civilisation and how did they shape that society? - How did Umayyads interact with other civilisations in the world? - What is the legacy of the Abbasid Caliphate? - Enlist some prominent rulers of Umayyads. - Introduce Byzantine Roman Empire (also called as Eastern Roman Empire) and its timeline. - Describe important conquests during Umayyad rule (Sindh, Spain and Central Asia). - Outline the arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim in the subcontinent. - Discover the importance of Muhammad bin Qasim in the spread of Islam in the subcontinent. - Describe the establishment of Umayyad rule in Spain & its salient features. - Enlist some prominent rulers of Umayyads in Spain and their achievements. - Trace the origins of Abbasid rule. - Enlist some prominent rulers of Abbasids and their major achievements. - Describe the development of arts and literature during Abbasid rule (with special focus on Abbasid Golden Age). - Describe the Fall of Baghdad at the hands of Mongols in 1258. - Introduce Seljuc, Fatimids, Ayyubids. - Recall prominent rulers of Seljuk, Fatimid, Ayyubid dynasties.