Analysis of the First Crusade
Pope Urban II’s call to war was spurred by the Turkish invasion of the Middle-Eastern holy lands. He felt that Christians should be the bearers of these lands and be able to visit them freely, which could only be accomplished if the Turks were driven out. When the call was made, the armies were supposed to gather in the spring of 1097 to march westward, however, due to the lethargic pace of communications and the lords being slow to take up the cross, they found that this was far too soon to have the appropriate arrangements ready. However, the poor and impoverished, such as Peter the Hermit, were able to answer the call quickly with no need for fanciful preparations. Within his call to war, the Pope had stated, “All should go, rich and poor alike,” which led all the peasants with little else to live for take up the call to arms.