Muslims conquered far larger territories of Christians than vice-versa. The crusaders intended to fight Muslims in Egypt but got sidetracked and destroyed the great Eastern Christian capital of Constantinople. The Tafurs, a group of wild peasants on the fringe of the First Crusade, would sometimes lead the charge into battle armed only with sticks! Reportedly, they sometimes cooked and ate dead Muslims in a sacred cannibalism.ĭuring the Fourth Crusade (1202–1204), Christians attacked other Christians. The Crusades were likewise seen as a way to bring peace, because they redirected knights’ aggression away from Europe. Under the Truce of God, knights were forbidden to feud from Wednesday evening to Monday morning, and on holy days. Ironically, the council that launched the First Crusade also renewed the Truce of God, which limited military bloodshed. The Crusades were supported by such Christian saints as Bernard of Clairvaux, Catherine of Siena, and Thomas Aquinas. Arab historian Imad al-Din noted, “Among the Franks there were indeed women who rode into battle dressed in men’s clothes who rode out into the thick of the fray.” Women participated actively in the Crusades, with a few on the front lines. The church marched against European pagans (such as the Slavs) or heretics (such as the Albigensians). Many crusades did not fight against Muslims or go near the Holy Land.

In some periods, armed religious expeditions set forth almost every year. There were literally hundreds of crusades.

Crusader kings 2 cannibal