First Crusade - Page 4 of 21

Reaction to Urban's Speech

Upon the completion of the speech, the local bishop immediately knelt before the throne and begged permission to be the first pilgrim. Urban presented him with a cross of red cloth to be sewed onto his clothes as a sign. Hundreds followed on the spot, in such numbers that the town merchants ran out of red cloth.

The Council next day granted privileges and protections to those who take the cross, and these were confirmed by papal letters. Word of the event swept across Europe, and many knights took the vow.

The vow itself was quite simple. A crusader was technically a pilgrim, and his vow was to visit the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. But both the Holy Land and the way there was in the hands of enemies, so the crusader went armed, ready to do battle and with the blessing of the Church. This set the crusader apart from the usual sort of pilgrim.

The crusader was legally protected from foreclosure on debts, and from attack by Christian enemies. Should he die on his pilgrimage, he was assured of complete remission of sins; that is, he would not have to suffer in purgatory for them. Should he survive, glory and praise would be his -- and, with a little luck, fortune as well.

It was a potent tool and it roused thousands. It mobilized far more warriors than Alexius Comnenus wanted or desired, and for a purpose well beyond his interests. But it went even further, for the crusading call of Urban struck a responsive chord in every level of medieval society, with results that surprised everyone.

History of Western Civilization

Boise State University
Last revised: 1 August 1996