The History of the Church

In 1071, the Byzantine Empire lost territory to the Muslims after the Battle of Manzikert. Therefore, the empire used religious motivations in attempt to regain control of "the holy places" (Israel). Religious motivations included:

The popes continued to call for these Crusades as "God's will".

In addition, there was also economical motivations, such as merchants seeking control over trade routes and opportunities to profit from transporting crusaders.

Period Purpose Outcome Result
1095 - 1102 to recapture Jerusalem success Jerusalem was captured in 1099 and several Crusader states were established
1147 - 1149 to recapture Edessa failure
1189 - 1192 to recapture "the Holy Land", previously conquered by the Muslims in 1187 partial success regained some territories but not Jerusalem
1202 - 1204 intended to recapture Jerusalem but diverted to Constantinople diverted goal restored the deposed Isaac II Angelos as emperor
1217 - 1221 to attack the Muslim-held North African cities to weaken their support for Jerusalem failure
1228 - 1229 peacefully negotiate diplomatically to gain control over Jerusalem partial success only temporarily restored Christian control over parts of Jerusalem
1248 - 1254 to attack the Muslim Egypt to weaken their power in the Holy Land failure
1270 to attack the Muslim Egypt and to either reconquer or negotiate control over key Christian sites like Jerusalem failure
1271 - 1272 to relieve the Christian fortress of Acre failure had to withdraw due to internal conflict