Crusades

[sobrique]

Now a while back, I seem to recall Dubya's immortal reference to a 'Crusade on Terrorism'. Which given it was aimed at Islamic nations, was really ... well a bit tasteless really.

I mean, in medieval history, the Crusades were a bunch of sanctimonious bastards, who happened to do it under the pretence of a religious banner. They invaded the middle east, raped, pillaged, tortured and converted by the sword. And basically just went in there to steal all their stuff, hiding behind a flag of 'higher purpose'.

Quite ironic really. I mean, all things considered.

Comments

[jambon-gris.livejournal.com]

except the childrens crusade, in which lots of oprhans died horribly.
Although I expect lots of children died horribly in the others, but they wernt actually the crusaders.

[jambon-gris.livejournal.com]

I just checked up on the web about the childrens crusade (the fith).
What happend was lots of children went off on a crusade led by a mad monk, like you do. The got to the med, which was supposed to part like the red sea, but rather suprisingly didnt. Fortunatly along came a nice merchant who shipped the little kiddywinks to the middle east, ans sold them as slaves. Not too glorious really.

[ewx.livejournal.com]

The Fifth Crusade was a largely unsuccesful invasion of Egypt - the Children's Crusade is not usually counted with the rest any more than the earlier People's Crusade is.

AFAIK no mad monks were involved.

[malal.livejournal.com]

Was it the People's Crusade that the mad Monk led then? Because I know there was one...

[portilis.livejournal.com]

And then there's that lovely crusade which managed to get distracted by Constantinople, a Christian city, because it needed to replenish it's funding.

[jambon-gris.livejournal.com]

sadly i realise its largely untrue, but it was just funny when i read up on it (in a very bitter ironic way).
The worst thing which i so hope was a spoof was a christian web site which used this as a demonstration of the power of faith and how wonderful it is.

[ewx.livejournal.com]

One of the original leaders of the People's Crusade was Peter The Hermit; whether he was actually a monk seems to be unclear but reportedly he dressed like one. Obviously he was rather deluded about his chances of success but who's to say whether he was mad?

[malal.livejournal.com]

Ah yes... I remember reading somewhere that the pope had indirectly pushed for that to happen, since Constantinople was the home of the Eastern Orthodox church, the Catholics main rival at the time.

Could be complete bollocks though....

Still, let us remember what the Pope said when trying to get the first crusade working... "You know that "Thou shall not kill" commandment? It only applies to fellow christians, OK?" Sigh

[malal.livejournal.com]

Well, starting the People's Crusade seems a good indicator. Quite apart from the chances of success, he was starting a war for religious reasons. Seems pretty crazy to me!