Crusading Paper History Essay Resaearch Coursework

When and where did crusading begin, and what elements of crusading culture influenced life in medieval Iberia? In your informed assessment, can we understand 1492 as the culmination of crusading culture?
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Introduction
Despite crusading movements engaging in a series of violent encounters with Muslims, Christians acknowledged the crusades as holy paths for salvation. As a result, men and women from Europe joined various military orders and wore crosses around their necks as sign of the Christian faith. The bloody and brutal violence enhanced the position of Christians, turning them into significant stakeholders in politics both in Europe and the Middle East. In 1492, the crusading movement reached its peak after Ferdinand II unified the Spanish crown and exiled the remaining Muslims. Although the events of 1492 are the culmination of crusading culture, the crusading movement improved trade in medieval Iberia and the church’s militarization led to major theological development.
Origin and location of crusading
Crusading began in 1095 and ended in 1492 after Ferdinand II, King of northern Spain, conquered all the Muslim fortresses in the Iberian Peninsula. Although the crusading extended slightly to Arab countries in North Africa, it mainly took place in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The first crusade was instigated by Pope Urban II in 1095 when he argued Western Christians to assist the Byzantines to recapture the Holy Land from Muslims. Although the relationship between Christians in the west and east was frosty, the pope’s remarks were met with sensational responses from elite warriors as well as common citizens. After losing the Holy Land in 1099, Muslims established their military forces and the two groups subsequently engaged in various battles for the control of sites that were believed to be holy.
Elements of crusading culture that influenced life in Medieval Iberia
Cross-cultural trade was intensified through transport, which was a significant element of crusading culture. Before the crusading period, Spanish Muslims traded with Spanish Christian, while Italian merchants traded with people from Egypt and Syria. However, after the fall of Rome, trade in Europe declined because cities became unsafe and people moved to rural areas. Nevertheless, as Europeans and Muslims travelled during the crusading period, they became more familiar with different goods. Europeans were attracted to perfumes and dyes while Muslims were attracted to textiles, glass, and silk. Despite being in a state of war, Italian cities such as Genoa, Florence, and Venice reinforced their ties with Muslim rulers ...