The Crusades and the Middle Ages are two topics that go hand-in-hand, as they span the same era of European history. During the 11th through 13th centuries, the Crusades were a series of religious wars waged in the Middle East, primarily by Roman Catholics from Europe, to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims. Although the Crusades failed to achieve their goal, they had a lasting impact on the Middle Ages, resulting in both the areas of religion and culture being changed forever.
Religiously, the Crusades resulted in a new sense of religious zeal, with many Europeans believing that if God had granted them a victory, then it was their duty to reclaim the Holy Land for Christendom. After a few initial successes, the crusaders were eventually defeated in the Middle East, but the religious awakening that it created still lives on in Europe today.
Culturally, the Crusades resulted in a greater exposure to the cultures of the Middle East and a greater integration of religious influences. The Crusades also brought with them a revitalization of art and architecture, as the so-called ‘outposts’ of the crusaders, such as Antioch and Jerusalem, became centres of culture. The mingling of Eastern and Western art and architecture inspired by the Crusades can still be seen in places such as Italy and Spain, with the Romanesque and Gothic styles becoming popular in Europe.
The Crusades also had an impact on politics, with the idea of a ‘crusading’ nation forming, where rulers would take on the responsibility of defending Christendom. This, in turn, led to the development of the feudal system, where land was divided into fiefs and owned by powerful lords who swore loyalty to the king.
Ultimately, the Crusades had a profound impact on the Middle Ages and Christianity, with the legacy of religious fervour, art and architecture, and political power remaining to this day. Although the Crusades failed to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims, they did leave behind a lasting legacy, one that can still be seen and felt in Europe today.