the pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church

a crusade is a military expedition against a group considered by the papacy to be an enemy of the Church

a pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place

The causes of the First Crusade

History

This unit will deepen pupils' understanding of the role of religion and the Church in medieval Europe and the wider world. It will also introduce pupils to the concept of conquest abroad, which will be revisited throughout the curriculum. 

Pupils will have an understanding of the importance of the Church in medieval society.

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

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

One likely reason Urban II called the First Crusade was to establish his position as {{ }}.

Warring nobles from __________ were a problem for Urban II at this time?

The spread of __________ into Europe was of concern to Urban II.

The {{ }} Emperor Alexios I Komnenos asked for Pope Urban II’s help in fighting back the Seljuk Turks.

Their desire to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Which of these were reasons why people answered the call to go on crusade?

A lack of sources from {{ }} people of this time means historians can only make inferences about crusaders' motivations.

Those who chose to take part in the First Crusade were promised forgiveness for their {{ }}.

Many crusaders thought that they would recapture the city of __________.

The first of the two crusading groups to reach Anatolia was called the '{{ }} Crusade'.

At which battle did the Seljuks fail to defeat the crusading army on 1 July 1097?

Starting with the earliest, place these cities in the chronological order in which they were captured by the crusaders.

During the siege of Jerusalem, the crusaders made use of two siege {{ }}.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The causes of the First Crusade

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.