Both sides were primarily motivated by religious fanaticism. For example, one Crusader describes how God “has wanted to offer the faithful a chance of safety, nay a cause of salvation, so that they who would give up all things for him will find him to be all things for all men” (Reflections of a Crusader Concerning the Sacredness of their Mission). He meant that God is giving them a chance to redeem themselves and prove that they are worthy of salvation. Also, God is seeing who will be faithful and willing to sacrifice themselves for this cause. Many other Crusaders were also motivated by the Crusades being God’s will. Loyalty to God was of utmost important to many, if not all, Christians and not participating in the Crusades was seen as disgraceful. The quote also meant that they were under God’s protection so they would be safe in battle against the
Both sides were primarily motivated by religious fanaticism. For example, one Crusader describes how God “has wanted to offer the faithful a chance of safety, nay a cause of salvation, so that they who would give up all things for him will find him to be all things for all men” (Reflections of a Crusader Concerning the Sacredness of their Mission). He meant that God is giving them a chance to redeem themselves and prove that they are worthy of salvation. Also, God is seeing who will be faithful and willing to sacrifice themselves for this cause. Many other Crusaders were also motivated by the Crusades being God’s will. Loyalty to God was of utmost important to many, if not all, Christians and not participating in the Crusades was seen as disgraceful. The quote also meant that they were under God’s protection so they would be safe in battle against the