The Makings of the First Crusade (2)

Meanwhile, social developments in Europe were giving the Church cause for concern. The eleventh century was dominated by a class of warrior-aristocrats, whose power was largely unrestrained by the weak kings of Europe. These warriors were the ancestors of the knights of the high middle ages, but their behaviour was anything but chivalrous. Church writers accused them of all sorts of wickedness, particularly of committing violence against defenceless women, children and (worst of all) churchmen. Unable to constrain them by force, the church sought to use its moral authority, by declaring periods of peace known as the Peace (or Truce) of God. Anyone breaking these peace agreements could be excommunicated by the church, and would burn in Hell for all eternity.

Surprisingly, this message of love and peace seems to have struck a chord. The warrior class may have enjoyed killing, maiming, and raiding their neighbours' lands, but they were also, in their fashion, God-fearing men. This didn't stop their violent ways, but it did make them seek ways of saving their souls, such as founding churches or going on pilgrimage. The doctrine of purgatory was developing at this time, which stated that those people who were neither wicked enough to go straight to Hell (do not pass 'Go', do not collect $200), nor virtuous enough to get into Heaven, would after death go to Purgatory. This was an unpleasant place that the soul had to pass through before entering Heaven (a bit like having to go through JFK airport to get to New York). But by doing penance for their sins (e.g. by going on pilgrimage), they could hasten their way out of Purgatory after death.

Pilgrimage was particularly important in the development of the crusades, as increased travel made people more aware of their position as part of a wider Christian world, and of the existence of supposedly hostile Muslims who wished (it was believed) to do down Christ and his followers. The Jerusalem pilgrimage, brought western Christians into contact - and conflict - with the Muslims, and this experience probably heightened resentment that the Holy Places were held by the 'enemies of Christ'. But also important was the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. Increased contact with Spain involved many French warriors in the ongoing wars between the Christian and Muslims kingdoms of that country.

Spain in the late-eleventh century was something of a crucible of the crusades. Group identity is often defined by conflict with an external enemy, and the French warriors came to see themselves more clearly as Christian, and the Muslims as the Other. In the words of the Song of Roland, a French poem composed in this context, 'Christians are Right and pagans are wrong'. Spain was also important as a test-ground for the papacy's new ideas on Holy War. Just as a man could save his soul by going on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, so he was also offered spiritual benefits (indulgences) to fight the Muslims in Spain.

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