The Great Crusade

The Great Crusade refers to a series of religious and military campaigns during the Middle Ages, primarily from the 11th to the 13th centuries, where Christian European nations sought to reclaim the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim control. Motivated by religious fervor, the promise of forgiveness for sins, and political ambition, these expeditions involved thousands of knights and commoners. The most famous, the First Crusade (1096-1099), succeeded in capturing Jerusalem, but later campaigns faced significant challenges and ultimately led to ongoing conflict and complex cultural exchanges between Christians and Muslims.