First Crusade - Page 3 of 21

Urban's Speech

The word spread and when the day came, the crowd, which included many laymen, was too large for the cathedral. So the speech was moved outside. The papal throne was set on a platform in an empty field outside the city walls, and the crowd assembled there.

Urban was, by all reports, a powerful and gifted speaker, and he brought all his rhetorical skills to bear. His speech is recorded in at least four sources; I will give a conglomerate summary here.

The noble race of the Franks must aid their co-religionists in the East. The infidel Turks are advancing into the heart of eastern Christendom (which they were: Byzantines had lost Asia Minor at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071; these were the Seljuk Turks - new converts to Islam and full of militant zeal).

Christians are being oppressed and attacked; the holy places are being defiled; and Jerusalem itself is groaning under the Saracen yoke. The Holy Sepulchre is in Muslim hands.

The West must march in defense of the Holy Land. All should go, rich and poor alike. God himself will lead them, for they will be doing His work.

There will be absolution and remission of sins for all who die here they are poor and miserable sinners - there they will be rich and happy, true allies of God. Let them march next summer. God wills it! (deus vult)

History of Western Civilization

Boise State University
Last revised: 31 August 1995