Crusades, and European expansion

The objective of this Essay is to set out the ideological issues behind the Crusades, the reasoning behind them and the actions taken. Also discussed will be the effects of the Crusades, and if indeed the Crusading ideology was an important factor in the expansion of Europe. In the year 1095, Emperor Alexius beseeched Pope Urban II in Europe for aid against the invading forces of Seljuk Turks, who were pushing at the borders of the …

…The Crusades: A Short History, London, 1987  Richard E. Sullivan, Critical Issues in History- The Middle Ages, Boston, 1966 Encyclopaedias  Donald E. Querry, Crusades- World Book Encyclopaedia, Chicago, 1994  Bryce Lyon, Middle Ages- World Book Encyclopaedia, Chicago, 1994 Articles  Michel R. Evans, ‘Commutation of Crusade Vows’, International Medievil Research, 3, (1995), pp. 221-228 Websites  Ellis L. Knox, http://history.idbsu.edu/westciv/crusades/00.html, Boise State University, 1995  Paul Hassal, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/maps/1090map.htm, Online Medievil Source Book