Bloody Crusades
The Crusades were a tumultuous period in history that witnessed unprecedented violence and savagery. However, they also resulted in cultural diffusion that impacted the world in positive ways. In this course we look at the origins of the crusading movement, including a discussion of the Byzantine Empire, early Christianity, and Islam. We then discuss the First Crusade, which resulted in the Christian capture of Jerusalem and the creation of the Crusader States. We then follow events through the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Crusades. We also touch on the Reconquista in Spain, the Baltic Crusades, and the Crusades promulgated against Christians (a strange but fascinating story).