Crusaders in Crisis: Towards the Re-assessment of the Origins and Nature of the "People’s Crusade" of 1095-1096

Citation

Slavin P (2010) Crusaders in Crisis: Towards the Re-assessment of the Origins and Nature of the "People’s Crusade" of 1095-1096. Imago Temporis. Medium Aevum, IV, pp. 175-199. https://www.raco.cat/index.php/ImagoTemporis/issue/view/19067/showToc

Abstract
Many explanations have been offered for the commencement of the crusading movement in the late eleventh century. However, the ecological and socio-economic background of the 1090s has been, largely, neglected by scholars up until today. The current paper surveys and analyzes the ecological and economic crisis of 1093- 1096, as the prelude to the First Crusade, chiefly in its “popular” form. The pestilence of 1093-1094, drought and famine of 1095 have increased the religious zeal and social violence of the popular masses in regions of Germany, the Low Countries and France. This combination has turned into the (failed) crusade. The collective behaviour of the crusading rustics reflects their economic distress, religious zeal and violent mood, at the same time.

Keywords
The First Crusade; Ecological Crisis; Pestilence; Famine; Apocalyptic Visions; Violence; Religious zeal; Anti-semitism

Journal
Imago Temporis. Medium Aevum: Volume IV

People

Professor Philip Slavin

Professor, History