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Year 7 - History

The causes of the First Crusade

The Crusades: did Europeans go on crusade to capture the 'holy land'?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils develop a deep understanding of the First Crusade's background. They learn how the interplay of events across Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Seljuk Empire led to this significant campaign.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the various causes of the First Crusade and the reasons why people chose to go on crusade.

Key Notes

  • The invasion of Byzantium was one reason for the First Crusade.
  • The actions of Urban II were one cause of the First Crusade.
  • The desire to fight for their God and the Church motivated some crusaders.
  • The desire to go on a holy journey motivated some crusaders.
  • Historians disagree about the relative importance of the reasons why the First Crusade occurred as and when it did.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • pope: the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church
  • crusade: a crusade is a military expedition against a group considered by the papacy to be an enemy of the Church
  • pilgrimage: a pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The only reason why crusaders went on the First Crusade was to capture Jerusalem for Christianity.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The invasion of Byzantium was one reason for the First Crusade. The actions of Urban II were one cause of the First Crusade.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'pope'

the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The only reason why crusaders went on the First Crusade was to capture Jerusalem for Christianity. Correction: People went on crusade for a wide variety of reasons; for some people, capturing Jerusalem from the Muslims was important, but it was almost certainly not the reason why the First Crusade was called in the first place.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 7 History guide library.