Why did Knights and Nobles Participate in the First Crusade

Why did Knights and Nobles Participate in the First Crusade

1. Religious reasons

   • The lure of Jerusalem and the Holy Places especially the Holy Sepulchre
     • The Crusade seen as a Prilgrimage
       • The importance of taking the Crusader Vow
         • Robert of Normandy a good example og a pious noble, as an elder son he stood to loose his inheritance by going on the Crusade
           • They were entiled to privelleged and pilgrims; they did not have to pay debts until they returned
             • Indulgence (granted as a favour/ privilege) and the promise of remission of sins
               • The Crusade as a penitential act (Riley Smith's view)
                 • The fear of apocalypse inspired by the fear of judgement day and the desire for salvation

2. Social feudal & familial obligation

   • They followed their overlord on the Crusade (feudal Obligation)
     • Often followed family
       • (Eustace and Baldwin of Bouylion followed their brother Godfrey
         • Or values of Status, knightly ethos and duty expressed in the Chasons De Geste (poems, stories of bravery)
           • A resolution to their knightly dilemma

3. Economic reasons

   • The East was painted as a 'land of milk and honey'
     • Scott suggests some knights like Bohemond and Baldwin had the chance to carve out new lands (as younger landless sons)
       • This reason is largely dispelled since most knights and nobles have secure wealth e.g Stephen of Blois had secure kingship
         • Some people knew that if they killed a Musilm they would be allowed to take all his belongings

4. Conclusion

   • "It would be foolish to think they went for religious purposes alone." (Phillips)
     • However religious/ spiritual motivation is common to all who participated in the First Crusade