The Crusaders

The Crusaders were European Christians, primarily from Western Europe, who engaged in military campaigns, known as the Crusades, from the 11th to the 13th centuries. These expeditions aimed to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim control. Motivated by religious fervor, the promise of salvation, and the desire for land and wealth, thousands participated in several Crusades, often leading to significant cultural and economic exchanges between East and West. While they achieved some military successes, the Crusades also resulted in prolonged conflicts and complex relationships between Christians, Muslims, and Jewish communities.