Crusades

The Crusades were a series of religious wars from the 11th to the 13th centuries, initiated by European Christians to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim control. Motivated by a mix of faith, the desire for adventure, and political gain, these campaigns were endorsed by the Church, promising spiritual rewards like forgiveness of sins. The Crusades had profound impacts on Christian-Muslim relations, trade, and cultural exchanges, and they shaped medieval society, highlighting the intertwining of religion and politics during this period.